Pat Norton, who has nearly 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and prep school levels, has been hired as head coach at Tufts.
Norton replaces Brian Murphy, who will not return after 17 seasons behind the Jumbos bench.
“We are very excited that Pat will be joining the Jumbo family and leading our men’s ice hockey program,” said director of athletics John Morris in a statement. “Throughout our search process, Pat distinguished himself as someone who is truly committed to the ideals that characterize Tufts athletics. He is passionate, in equal measure, about achieving excellence, winning championships, and using athletics participation as a vehicle to provide our student-athletes with a transformational educational experience that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
A 1996 graduate of New Hampshire, where he was a member of the hockey team, Norton began his coaching career as an assistant at Norwich from 1996 to 2000.
Norton moved on to assistant coaching positions at the Division I level with Vermont from 2000 to 2003 and with Northeastern for the 2003-2004 season.
For the past 11 seasons, Norton has been the head coach of the hockey program at the Tilton School in New Hampshire. Members of the New England Prep Schools Interscholastic Hockey Association, Tilton competes at the highest level of prep school hockey. During Norton’s tenure, the Rams were Lakes Region champions in 2010 and 2011 as well as New England Small School semifinalists in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
“Every once in a while, a special opportunity becomes available and to me becoming the head hockey coach at Tufts is that kind of opportunity,” Norton added in a news release. “I believe my experience and hockey network will allow me to build a first-rate hockey program that reflects Tufts University’s values.
“I’m very excited to get started.”
