Devils alumni Jay Pandolfo was named the new head coach of the Boston University men’s hockey team. Pandolfo played for the Terriers – graduating in 1996 with a degree in sociology according to BU’s athletic website – and serving as captain of the team and helping lead them to a national championship in 1995.
In his time with BU, the Terriers also appeared in “four straight NCAA Frozen Fours” won “two Beanpot titles, and two Hockey East championships” according to Rich Barlow of BU Today at BU.edu.
The announcement of Pandolfo being named head coach was made by Drew Marrochello, Boston University’s athletics director last Thursday. He replaces Albie O’Connell.
Pandolfo had previously served as an associate head coach with the Terriers’ program for “less than a year.”
Pandolfo was quoted by Barlow as saying: “It was a thrill to return here last year, and to now lead a program that holds such a special place in my heart is a dream come true. Choosing to play at BU was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I hope that the players I coach feel the same when they complete their careers here.”
Marrochello, who Barlow noted will introduce Pandolfo as new coach later this morning (11 AM Monday, May 9) “at a press conference at Agganis Arena,” added: “Jay was an elite player during his four years at BU and then proved to be a consummate professional during a decorated NHL career. He understands the tradition of BU hockey and how important it is to our University, our alumni, and our fans.
“Our student-athletes learned a lot from Jay during his first season here, and we look forward to having him prepare them for future success while guiding us to championships. He certainly knows what it takes to win, and we’re excited to keep him home at BU, leading our program for years to come.”
Barlow said that the Terriers had a bit of a strange season in 2021-22, as they won the Beanpot tournament (the annual fight between BU, Boston College, Harvard University and Northeastern University for Boston college hockey supremacy) but were not ranked in the top-20 in men’s Division I hockey. They did, however, finish with a winning record within the Hockey East conference at 13-8-3.
That was under O’Connell, but Pandolfo was in the mix. He had been named an associate coach last summer, in July.
Previously, he had served as an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins for five seasons. Barlow mentioned the Bruins’ success during his time with the team as they made the Stanley Cup Playoffs four out of his five seasons with the team as a coach, including going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019, where they fell to the St. Louis Blues.
He also spent time as “the Bruins’ player development coach and director of player development.”
Pandolfo was drafted by the Devils 32nd overall in the 1993 Draft and won the Stanley Cup as a player with the Devils in 2000 and 2003.
In college, Pandolfo finished with 79 goals and 90 assists (169 points) and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 1996 – his senior year.
In the NHL, he played for the Islanders and Bruins in addition to the Devils and finished with 100 goals and 126 assists, totaling 226 points over 899 regular season games.
Congratulations to Pandolfo as he looks to lead his alma mater to NCAA success.