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Cahoon signs new extension
Hockey coach to remain with team for forseeable future
Joe Meloni, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Sports
Massachusetts hockey coach Don Cahoon has agreed to a contract extension, although the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Cahoon's current contract is not yet expired and, despite the recent struggles of the Minutemen, last season's NCAA Tournament berth displayed the progress Cahoon has made in his eight-and-a-half seasons at the helm of the program.
"I didn't even know I needed a new contract," Cahoon joked after the team's practice yesterday. "I'm just glad to know I'll be here for the foreseeable future. I'm comfortable with where I am, and I'm happy to be here."
UMass athletic director John McCutcheon was unavailable for comment.
In his time at UMass, Cahoon has posted a record of 101-139-28. Prior to UMass, he spent nine seasons as the head coach at Princeton University. He had similar success with the Tigers, and after a few tough seasons, they became a consistent contender in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Aside from the NCAA Tournament appearance last season, Cahoon guided the Minutemen to one appearance in the Hockey East finals and three appearances in the semifinals of the conference tournament.
"We've made some good progress in my time here, and I'm glad to know that I'll be around to hopefully continue that," he commented.
Where's Wessbecker?
Junior defenseman John Wessbecker has not played since Nov. 30 against Cornell due to an undisclosed injury - the game ended in a scoreless tie.
Cahoon said yesterday that there is no timetable for his return to the UMass lineup, and he is not going to hurry him back.
"He's definitely out for the foreseeable future. There's no way of knowing exactly how long because of the type of injury," Cahoon said.
In his absence, redshirt freshman Kevin Kessler, redshirt senior Patrick Dineen and freshman Doug Kublin have all seen time on the blue line.
"They've all stepped in and done a great job for us when called upon. It's been great," senior captain Mike Kostka said. "Obviously, with John out, we need that from them. They've shown that they're all capable defenseman in John's absence."
Cahoon's current contract is not yet expired and, despite the recent struggles of the Minutemen, last season's NCAA Tournament berth displayed the progress Cahoon has made in his eight-and-a-half seasons at the helm of the program.
"I didn't even know I needed a new contract," Cahoon joked after the team's practice yesterday. "I'm just glad to know I'll be here for the foreseeable future. I'm comfortable with where I am, and I'm happy to be here."
UMass athletic director John McCutcheon was unavailable for comment.
In his time at UMass, Cahoon has posted a record of 101-139-28. Prior to UMass, he spent nine seasons as the head coach at Princeton University. He had similar success with the Tigers, and after a few tough seasons, they became a consistent contender in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Aside from the NCAA Tournament appearance last season, Cahoon guided the Minutemen to one appearance in the Hockey East finals and three appearances in the semifinals of the conference tournament.
"We've made some good progress in my time here, and I'm glad to know that I'll be around to hopefully continue that," he commented.
Where's Wessbecker?
Junior defenseman John Wessbecker has not played since Nov. 30 against Cornell due to an undisclosed injury - the game ended in a scoreless tie.
Cahoon said yesterday that there is no timetable for his return to the UMass lineup, and he is not going to hurry him back.
"He's definitely out for the foreseeable future. There's no way of knowing exactly how long because of the type of injury," Cahoon said.
In his absence, redshirt freshman Kevin Kessler, redshirt senior Patrick Dineen and freshman Doug Kublin have all seen time on the blue line.
"They've all stepped in and done a great job for us when called upon. It's been great," senior captain Mike Kostka said. "Obviously, with John out, we need that from them. They've shown that they're all capable defenseman in John's absence."
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