Hockey East announced Thursday that Steve Metcalf has received a two-year contract extension to remain commissioner through the 2026-27 season.
“We’re very excited to have Steve leading Hockey East into the future,” said Northeastern’s Jim Madigan, who serves as chair of the executive committee for the men’s league, in a statement. “He navigated us through a global pandemic at the start of his tenure, greatly expanded our external reach to the passionate fans across the league and helped foster a first-class experience for the student-athletes of our member institutions. We look forward to his continued leadership in elevating our great conference.”
“We are pleased to extend Steve’s contract and are appreciative of both his leadership and our growth as a league during his tenure,” added Maine’s Jude Killy, who serves as chair of the executive committee for the women’s league. “Our brand as a league will continue to ascend under his guidance.”
Metcalf enters his fifth season as commissioner of Hockey East in 2024-25, coming off unprecedented success of the 40th anniversary season in 2023-24 which saw a sold-out TD Garden crowd for the men’s championship weekend for the first time since 2005, the most well-attended women’s championship tournament in league history, and record numbers of alumni in both the NHL and PWHL. Last season also resulted in record-setting viewership numbers on both NESN and ESPN for Hockey East games, with over two million fans tuning in throughout the season to watch the nation’s top-ranked teams.
During his time with Hockey East, Metcalf has reemphasized a commitment to the student-athlete experience and has driven new and creative ways for the league to connect with fans across the country through strategic marketing initiatives. He also spearheaded the league’s current partnership with Van Wagner.
Prior to the 2022-23 season, Metcalf was elected by his peers to become president of the Hockey Commissioners Association and with this appointment also became the chair of the College Hockey, Inc. board. In these roles, he works closely with the NHL on various partnerships to grow and support hockey at all levels.
In Metcalf’s second season in 2021-22, Hockey East televised over 100 games on NESN. In April 2022, Hockey East played host to one of the most successful men’s Frozen Fours in history and announced new media rights agreements with both ESPN and NESN.
The 2020-21 season was undoubtedly one of the most challenging years ever in the world of collegiate sports. Hockey East developed comprehensive COVID-19 protocols that helped the league successfully play more games than any other conference. The season ended with UMass winning its first NCAA national championship in Pittsburgh and the Northeastern women’s team playing in the national championship game in Erie, Pa.
Prior to his tenure at Hockey East, Metcalf spent two decades in athletic administration at New Hampshire, finishing his time there as deputy athletic director. Metcalf was a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee from 2015 to 2020 and served as its chair for his last two years. Previously, Metcalf has also served as chair for the NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Ice Hockey Committee and the NCAA National Collegiate Skiing Committee.
