Kevin Zifcak has been named the 11th head ice hockey coach at Assumption College by Ted Paulauskas, director of athletics.
Zifcak replaces Keith Hughes, a 1994 alumnus of Assumption, who retired after seven years at the Ice Dogs helm.
The 31-year-old Zifcak has been the head coach at Massachusetts prep school Worcester Academy for the past six years, and previously was head coach at Bridgton Academy in [nl]Maine for two years.
Zifcak played his collegiate hockey for legendary coach Terry Meagher at Bowdoin College from 1993-97. The Polar Bears were 70-29-6 during his four-year career, advancing to the ECAC East championship game three times and in 1997 to the NCAA national quarterfinals.
He has also served as the Hockey Director at the Buffone Ice Arena in Worcester, Mass., the home arena for the Ice Dogs. In this position he has help design and implement programs and supervise youth leagues.
One of the leading and most sought-after clinicians in New England, Zifcak has worked at the USA Hockey Select Festival, UConn Hockey Experience, Bowdoin College Clinics, and Hockey Night in Boston.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Government/Legal Studies and Environmental Science from Bowdoin in 1997. He is presently a candidate for a Masters of Science in Communications at Clark University.
Zifcak will continue to serve as a mathematics instructor at Worcester Academy. He and his wife Sarah reside in Worcester, Mass.
Assumption College began its ice hockey program in 1917, fielding a team from 1917-19, 1956-60, and since the 1964-65 season. The Ice Dogs have participated in 16 post-season tournaments over the last 23 years.
Assumption competes in the ECAC Northeast and the Northeast-10. The Ice Dogs advanced to the semifinal round of the Northeast-10 playoffs this past season, finishing with a 12-12-3 overall record.
