St. Mary's Ryken (SMR) has announced the appointment of Nick Cotroneo as the new head coach of the girls' ice hockey team. Cotroneo, who served as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season, will assume his new position effective immediately.
A native of Eagan, Minnesota, Cotroneo has an extensive hockey background both as a player and coach, having attended St. Thomas Academy for high school, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and completed graduate studies at Duquesne University. His nearly 40 years of hockey experience, combined with his education, make him the perfect leader for the SMR team.
Cotroneo moved to Maryland in 2015 after serving nearly 13 years as a Naval Flight Officer. Since then, he has been active in the local hockey world, teaching and coaching skating at the Capital Clubhouse, and has been widely recognized for his community involvement and dedication to the sport.
“My goal with the women's team is to grow the sport and foster a love of the game, focusing on inclusion for all who want to play, learn and have fun,” Cotroneo said. “I hope to instill a bit of a 'hockey where it is now' spirit in our small community. I'm inspired by Coach Chris Palombi (SMR men's ice hockey head coach) and his passion for the sport, and I look to build on the strong foundation he's built.”
Athletic Director John Lombard expressed enthusiasm for Cotroneo's promotion. “Coach Nick Cotroneo has been an assistant coach for our women's ice hockey program in 2023-24 and has been a great contributor to our community,” Lombard said. “We are excited to promote Nick to head coach, as he demonstrates leadership through relationship building. Coach Cotroneo is an excellent organizer and communicator, and we are excited for him to continue building on the foundation of the program established by Coach Chris Palombi. We are confident that Nick will lead women's ice hockey by providing a transformational experience for our student-athletes, aligning with SMR's mission.”
Cotroneo is optimistic about the upcoming season, noting a significant increase in the number and interest of players seeking opportunities to play hockey with local traveling teams during the offseason. “Our aggressive off-ice training plan is in full swing with many players taking lessons, hitting the rink on their own time and participating in summer leagues,” he said.
The new coach also stressed the importance of engaging with current and future players. “The St. Mary's Ryken Summer Nights Hockey Camp at the Capital Clubhouse provides a great opportunity to engage with current and future players ages 8-17,” Cotroneo added. For more information about the camp and to apply, visit www.stmarys.com/camps. Click here for details.
Reflecting on his experience with the team, Cotroneo is motivated to build on the program's existing strengths. “My experience with the team last year has inspired me to bring success by developing the talented student-athletes already in the program. We are dedicated to providing smart, motivated players with the tools to better understand the game of hockey. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love of hockey at St. Mary's Ryken.”
Cotroneo has been married to his wife, Mia, for 19 years and the couple have three daughters, one of whom is a senior at St. Mary's Ryken High School.
