Michigan Tech assistant coach Bill Muckalt has been named the head coach of the USHL’s Tri-City Storm.
Muckalt joined the Huskies shortly after Mel Pearson was named head coach in 2011 and was the team’s lead recruiter.
In Muckalt’s four seasons at Michigan Tech, the team was 72-68-17 and, in 2015, made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 34 years.
“I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity that Mel gave me to work at Michigan Tech,” said Muckalt, who was a player at Michigan while Pearson was an assistant coach there. “He’s been a great mentor for eight years — four as a player and four as an assistant coach.”
A Surrey, British Columbia, native, Muckalt was a first-team All-American and a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 1998 when he helped Michigan win the national championship.
He had a five-year NHL career before turning to coaching.
“I would like to congratulate Billy,” Pearson said in a statement. “I’m thankful for the hard work and dedication he put forth into rebuilding the Michigan Tech hockey program. On a personal note, I’m not only losing a great coach, but a great friend. I wish Billy continued success.”
