Story image courtesy of Wentworth Athletic Communications

BEVERLY, Mass.-  The Endicott Athletic Department is pleased to announce the hiring of R.J. Tolan as the next head coach for the men's ice hockey team.  Ice hockey, which has been a club sport during its 13 year existence, will serve one more year in the club ranks before transitioning to varsity status for the 2015-16 academic year and will compete in the ECAC Northeast Conference.  The varsity status comes in conjunction with a new ice arena on campus that is slated to open in the summer of 2015.  Coach Tolan arrives at Endicott with 11 years of coaching experience, the last eight having been as head coach of the men's varsity team at Wentworth Institute of Technology, a team that had considerable success under his leadership on both a regional and national level.

"Coach Tolan is a phenomenal hockey coach," said Athletic Director Dr. Brian Wylie.  "His tireless work ethic, communication skills and tremendous attributes as a coach became apparent throughout the interview process and made him a perfect leader for the men's ice hockey program." Wylie continued, "As someone that understands the true meaning of what a 'student-athlete' is, I am confident that Coach Tolan will command the most from his players to represent Endicott well as the program transitions to a full-fledged NCAA Division III program."

Tolan arrived at Wentworth in 2005 and served as associate head coach for his first season before being elevated to head coach for the 2006-07 season.  In his eight years at the helm, the Leopards accumulated 128 wins, the highest total under any coach in Wentworth history, and posted an overall record of 128-74-16. His .624 win percentage is also the best in Wentworth history and was highlighted by two 20 win seasons.  Tolan led the team to two ECAC Northeast titles and six ECAC Northeast Finals in his eight years.  With the two ECAC Northeast Championships also came two NCAA appearances in back-to-back seasons in 2011-12 and 2012-13, and a NCAA Division III Quarterfinals appearance in the 2011-12 season.  Over his tenure, Coach Tolan was named ECAC Northeast Coach of the Year three times; 2007, 2012 and 2014, and was also named Hockey Writers of New England Coach of the Year in 2007.  Under his tutelage, 32 players received ECAC Northeast All-Conference honors, while he also coached one ECAC Northeast Rookie of the Year, two Players of the year, and one Athletic All-American.

Prior to Wentworth, Tolan coached in the Division I and II ranks as an assistant at Northeastern University in 2004-05 and at Bentley University from 2003-04.  In addition to his college work, he also served as the boys' varsity coach from 2002-04 at the Dexter Southfield School.  Tolan also most recently worked with the Massachusetts Satellite Hockey Program and at the Perrti Hasanen Skills Camp which is based out of Boston University.

Tolan earned his Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell in 2002 where he was a four year varsity player from 1998-2002. Prior to Lowell, Tolan played with the Boston Junior Bulldogs from 1997-98 and in high school at Matignon High School in Cambridge, Mass.