When the NCAA Division III Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey team takes to the ice for its season-opener against Lake Forest on Nov. 1, it will be the beginning of a new era.
The Ryan Egan Era.
Saint Mary’s athletic director Brian Sisson announced June 27 that Egan would take over the reigns as head coach of the Cardinal men’s hockey program.
Egan was currently serving as the head coach and general manager of the NA3HL’s Texas RoadRunners.
“We are extremely excited to announce Ryan Egan as the head coach of our men’s hockey program,” Sisson said. “Ryan’s energy and hockey knowledge, combined with his recruiting prowess and experience as a head coach, will serve our student-athletes well.”
Egan is no stranger to Saint Mary’s, having served as the Cardinal men’s hockey team’s assistant coach from 2009 to 2014.
“I would like to thank Father Burns, Brian Sisson and the search committee for allowing me this great opportunity to come back to Saint Mary’s University as the head men’s hockey coach,” said Egan, who takes over a program that went 9-15-3 — including a 7-7-2 showing in conference play and earned its third Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament appearance in the past five years. “My family and I couldn’t be happier to once again be a part of the Saint Mary’s family. I look forward to achieving many successes with the current and future Cardinal student-athletes.”
After leaving Saint Mary’s, Egan spent two years as head coach and general manager of the La Crosse Freeze in the NA3HL, and then was named the head coach/general manager for the Coulee Region Chill in the NAHL. During this first season in the NAHL (2016-17), the Chill set a franchise record for NCAA Division college commitments. He spent last season as head coach and general manager of the College Station Spirit (recently renamed the Texas Roadrunners) of the NA3HL.
Egan began his coaching career with the Omaha Energy AAA program, where he was program director and head coach. Egan then moved on to guide the San Antonio Diablos (WSHL).
“Ryan’s passion, character, and clear vision in providing a transformational student-athlete experience — along with the respect he has in the junior and collegiate hockey community — stood out during this process,” noted Sisson. “We are eager to connect Ryan with our hockey alumni and the Winona and surrounding community and welcome him, his wife Melissa, and sons Jackson and Weston to the Cardinal family.”
What They Are Saying About Ryan Egan:
• “Ryan Egan is a great hire for Saint Mary’s; he has worked at all the levels needed to succeed as a head coach at the collegiate level. Reputations are earned, and Ryan has a very good one — Saint Mary’s got themselves a terrific hockey coach and an even better person.” — Frank Serratore, head men’s hockey coach, United States Air Force Academy
• “I want to say congratulations to Ryan Egan on being named the next men’s head hockey coach at Saint Mary’s University. The university is returning a fantastic person, who is familiar with the hockey program and has a fantastic reputation in the hockey community. I look forward to seeing Ryan on the recruiting trail and am fortunate to now have him as my peer.” — Erik Largen, head men’s hockey coach, University of Alaska-Fairbanks.