Photo Courtesy: Quinnipiac Athletics
By: Kyle Levasseur
Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey has locked up the man who has helped build the program from scratch. Rand Pecknold, the reigning National Coach of the Year has signed a contract extension through 2021.
“Rand has done a remarkable job in developing Quinnipiac’s men’s ice hockey program over the last 22 years and we look forward to many more” Quinnipiac Director of Athletics and Recreation Greg Amodio said. “This past season was a product of his vision and drive to be the best at his craft. I’d like to once-again congratulate Rand on another landmark season that has solidified Quinnipiac as an elite college hockey program.”
While Pecknold may have started his coaching career at Connecticut College, he has spent almost the entirety of his coaching career at Quinnipiac.
Entering his 23rd season with Quinnipiac, Pecknold owns the most wins in Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey history and is the sixth winningest active Division I coach. As of today, Pecknold sports an impressive career record of 446-264-83.
Since turning the team into a Division I program in 1998-1999, Pecknold has never had a losing season. His dominance this past season was evident, as he elevated the program to the pinnacle of the sport, the national championship game.
While Quinnipiac may have lost in the national championship for the second time in the last four years, Pecknold led the Bobcats to it’s 15th 20-win season in his era, while posting the most wins in program history, going 32-4-7.
His greatest challenge yet comes next season, as he tries to bring the national championship home to Hamden.
Pecknold is losing several major players from last season’s team, including the top two ECAC point scorers, Sam Anas (50 points) and Travis St. Denis (49 points), whom signed with the Minnesota Wild and the New York Islanders respectively.
Pecknold will also need to fill the defensive void of Devon Toews, who led all ECAC defenseman in points per game scoring nearly a point-per-game. Toews signed the New York Islanders this offseason, forgoing his senior season. Not to be forgotten is goalie, Michael Garteig, the program leader in career wins and shutouts, who recently signed with the Vancouver Canucks.
With so many key players missing from last year, making it to the national tournament for a fifth straight season would be one of Pecknold’s greatest accomplishments. The Bobcats season starts on Oct. 1.
