Thibodeau Hired as Miami Hockey Associate Head Coach
5/22/2024 9:26:00 AM | Hockey
OXFORD, Ohio— Troy Thibodeau will join Anthony Noreen's staff as associate head coach, Miami Hockey announced today. Thibodeau comes to the RedHawks after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Dartmouth.
"I am beyond excited to join the Miami University hockey program. I would first like to thank David Sayler and Brad Okel for having the confidence in me, along with Anthony Noreen making the decision to add me to this already great coaching staff," said Thibodeau.
"I am humbled by the opportunity and can't wait to get started. The chance to add to the storied tradition of Miami Hockey and work to make it a premier program in college hockey is incredibly motivating. I can't wait to meet the fans and the proud alumni. My wife Bridget and son Boden are thrilled to join the Oxford community."
In Thibodeau's final season at Dartmouth, the Big Green posted a winning record overall and in conference play, finishing in the top four of the 2023-2024 ECAC Hockey standings despite being picked 11th in the preseason poll. Dartmouth went 13-10-9, surpassing its total number of victories from the previous two seasons combined, and finished 29th in the Pairwise ranking (a 35-spot jump from the year before), earning league Coach of the Year honors for head coach Reid Cashman.
Thibodeau's responsibilities at Dartmouth included working with the forwards and the team's power play. He also helped recruit players from around the world, including natives of the United States, Canada, Finland, Russia and Norway.
Before joining the Big Green, Thibodeau served as an assistant under Noreen with the USHL's Tri-City Storm for three seasons (2018-2021). The Storm won the Western Conference in two of those seasons (with the other cut short due to COVID). Thibodeau was part of the program's Anderson Cup season in 2018-19 and helped coach 11 NHL draft picks at Tri-City. He worked specifically with the Storm's forwards and the power play.
"I'd like to welcome Troy Thibodeau to the Miami Hockey family," Noreen said. "Troy has a proven track record of making every program he has joined better, as proven with his most recent stop at Dartmouth.
"He has worked with some of the best coaches in college hockey and brings with him a tremendous work ethic, high character and a passion for developing student-athletes. I look forward to Troy, Bridget and Boden joining us in Oxford and working towards something special."
Thibodeau was previously the director of hockey operations at UMass Lowell from 2016-18, where he was responsible for video breakdown, travel and meal coordination and acted as the program's student-athlete academic liaison. The River Hawks went 44-30-3 over those two seasons, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017.
Thibodeau spent the 2015-16 season as Merrimack's video coordinator after working for Wentworth Institute of Technology as an assistant coach in 2014-15. Thibodeau also spent time as a strength and conditioning volunteer intern at the University of Florida and the University of Denver in 2014. He has been a summer on-ice skating and skills instructor for nearly a decade, including working with Dynamic Skating and ProForm Development.
A native of Danvers, Mass., Thibodeau is a 2014 graduate of the University of Southern Maine, earning a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. A multi-sport student-athlete, he played hockey and baseball for the Huskies, including serving as an assistant captain on the 2012-13 hockey team and earning 2013 Division III College World Series All-Tournament Team honors as part of USM's national runner-up baseball program. Thibodeau was recognized on the ECAC East All-Academic Team in 2011-12.
"Since getting to know Troy, I have been consistently impressed with his work ethic, passion for the game, and candor with players and staff alike," said Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams. "He was a tremendous asset at our previous development camp and I know he will rely upon his wide range of previous experience in his new role as associate head coach. As both an alumnus and fervent supporter of the Miami University Hockey team, I could not be more excited to see Troy join the staff."
Miami will announce the remainder of its coaching staff in the coming weeks. The RedHawks open the 2024-25 season on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Ferris State.
"I am beyond excited to join the Miami University hockey program. I would first like to thank David Sayler and Brad Okel for having the confidence in me, along with Anthony Noreen making the decision to add me to this already great coaching staff," said Thibodeau.
"I am humbled by the opportunity and can't wait to get started. The chance to add to the storied tradition of Miami Hockey and work to make it a premier program in college hockey is incredibly motivating. I can't wait to meet the fans and the proud alumni. My wife Bridget and son Boden are thrilled to join the Oxford community."
In Thibodeau's final season at Dartmouth, the Big Green posted a winning record overall and in conference play, finishing in the top four of the 2023-2024 ECAC Hockey standings despite being picked 11th in the preseason poll. Dartmouth went 13-10-9, surpassing its total number of victories from the previous two seasons combined, and finished 29th in the Pairwise ranking (a 35-spot jump from the year before), earning league Coach of the Year honors for head coach Reid Cashman.
Thibodeau's responsibilities at Dartmouth included working with the forwards and the team's power play. He also helped recruit players from around the world, including natives of the United States, Canada, Finland, Russia and Norway.
Before joining the Big Green, Thibodeau served as an assistant under Noreen with the USHL's Tri-City Storm for three seasons (2018-2021). The Storm won the Western Conference in two of those seasons (with the other cut short due to COVID). Thibodeau was part of the program's Anderson Cup season in 2018-19 and helped coach 11 NHL draft picks at Tri-City. He worked specifically with the Storm's forwards and the power play.
"I'd like to welcome Troy Thibodeau to the Miami Hockey family," Noreen said. "Troy has a proven track record of making every program he has joined better, as proven with his most recent stop at Dartmouth.
"He has worked with some of the best coaches in college hockey and brings with him a tremendous work ethic, high character and a passion for developing student-athletes. I look forward to Troy, Bridget and Boden joining us in Oxford and working towards something special."
Thibodeau was previously the director of hockey operations at UMass Lowell from 2016-18, where he was responsible for video breakdown, travel and meal coordination and acted as the program's student-athlete academic liaison. The River Hawks went 44-30-3 over those two seasons, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017.
Thibodeau spent the 2015-16 season as Merrimack's video coordinator after working for Wentworth Institute of Technology as an assistant coach in 2014-15. Thibodeau also spent time as a strength and conditioning volunteer intern at the University of Florida and the University of Denver in 2014. He has been a summer on-ice skating and skills instructor for nearly a decade, including working with Dynamic Skating and ProForm Development.
A native of Danvers, Mass., Thibodeau is a 2014 graduate of the University of Southern Maine, earning a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. A multi-sport student-athlete, he played hockey and baseball for the Huskies, including serving as an assistant captain on the 2012-13 hockey team and earning 2013 Division III College World Series All-Tournament Team honors as part of USM's national runner-up baseball program. Thibodeau was recognized on the ECAC East All-Academic Team in 2011-12.
"Since getting to know Troy, I have been consistently impressed with his work ethic, passion for the game, and candor with players and staff alike," said Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams. "He was a tremendous asset at our previous development camp and I know he will rely upon his wide range of previous experience in his new role as associate head coach. As both an alumnus and fervent supporter of the Miami University Hockey team, I could not be more excited to see Troy join the staff."
Miami will announce the remainder of its coaching staff in the coming weeks. The RedHawks open the 2024-25 season on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Ferris State.
Highlights: Miami Hockey vs Ferris State 12-29
Monday, December 29
Miami Hockey Head Coach Anthony Noreen & Mathis Langevin 12-29 Postgame
Monday, December 29
Miami Hockey Head Coach Anthony Noreen & Ryan Smith 12-28 Postgame
Sunday, December 28
Miami Football Head Coach Chuck Martin & Nasir Washington Arizona Bowl Postgame
Sunday, December 28