Boston Bruins assistant coach Jay Pandolfo (Burlington, Mass.) will be joining the Boston University staff as an associate head coach, according to multiple sources. Head coach Albie O’Connell (Watertown, Mass.) informed his team today of the hiring. Pandolfo, 46, was a standout player for BU from 1992 to 1996. He played on the 1995 NCAA...
Boston Bruins assistant coach Jay Pandolfo (Burlington, Mass.) will be joining the Boston University staff as an associate head coach, according to multiple sources. Head coach Albie O’Connell (Watertown, Mass.) informed his team today of the hiring.
Pandolfo, 46, was a standout player for BU from 1992 to 1996. He played on the 1995 NCAA championship team and captained the Terriers the following year, amassing 17 goals and 25 assists in 37 games. Pandolfo went straight to Boston University out of Burlington High School, a move that is unheard of these days.
Following his stellar college career, Pandolfo enjoyed a lengthy NHL career with the New Jersey Devils. Including the playoffs and 18 games with the Bruins to conclude his career, Pandolfo appeared in 1,030 NHL contests.
After spending two seasons in player development, Pandolfo has been on the Bruins bench since the 2016-17 season. Those with knowledge of the situation suggest that Pandolfo became tired of the grind of an NHL season, especially the long road trips away from family.
Pandolfo replaces associate head coach Paul Pearl (Winthrop, Mass.), who left BU after three seasons working with O’Connell. Pearl recently took the head coach position at Cushing Academy, replacing Steve Jacobs (Hudson, Mass.).
O’Connell has one year left on his four-year deal that he signed when he took over for David Quinn (Cranston, R.I.) after the 2017-18 season. Quinn had left the Terriers to become head coach of the New York Rangers but was fired this offseason. The situation surrounding O’Connell’s contract is one to follow closely.
Keefe to be introduced Thursday
Northeastern made it official on Wednesday that longtime associate head coach Jerry Keefe (Billerica, Mass.) would take over as head coach of the Huskies. Jim Madigan stepped down as head coach to become the school’s athletic director. New England Hockey Journal was first to report the news of Madigan and Keefe moving within the school’s hierarchy.
