Riley ΓÇÖ14 named Wilkes First MenΓÇÖs Ice Hockey Head Coach
6 July 2017 Riley 14 named Wilkes First Mens Ice Hockey Head Coach
Brett Riley 14 was recently named the first Head Mens Ice Hockey Coach at Wilkes University. Wilkes announced the addition of mens and womens hockey at the Division III level last August. The Colonials mens program will begin play in 2018-19.
I would like to thank Wilkes University Athletic Director Addy Malatesta, Associate Athletic Director Phil Wingert and the search committee for selecting me to be their first mens ice hockey coach, said Riley. It is an honor and privilege to join the Wilkes community and athletic department. Having the opportunity to build a college ice hockey program will be an exciting challenge, and one that I am ready for. Wilkes has all the resources in place to accommodate a successful NCAA ice hockey program.
Riley, who graduated with a bachelor of arts in history, was a three-time ECAC West All-Academic as a forward for the Hobart ice hockey team. In his sophomore year, the Statesmen captured the ECAC West tournament championship.
Following graduation, Riley served as the head coach at Albany Academy where he led the Bears to a runner up finish in the 2017 New England Prep School Athletic Conference. Riley was also responsible for the schools strength and conditioning program.
Riley is carrying out a family tradition. His father, Rob Riley, is an amateur scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets who previously coached in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Falcons. Bretts father and grandfather, Jack Riley, both served as the Head coach at Army West Point, and his uncle Brian Riley is the current head coach of the Knights. Bretts grandfather Jack led the 1960 USA Hockey team to a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley.