The Middlebury men's hockey team has a rich tradition of success, with a resume that includes eight national titles, eight NESCAC championships and 47 All-American selections. Despite these accolades, the Panthers have struggled in recent history. The team has not had a winning record since the 2012-13 season and has not won the NESCAC Championship since the 2009-10 season.
But the team's new head coach, Jack Cegulski, is trying to change that. Last season, under Ceglarski's guidance as interim head coach, the team won eight games and had success against strong teams, including an upset victory over second-seeded Bowdoin College in the NESCAC quarterfinals. He achieved victory. But most importantly, Ceglarski has brought about a change in the team's mindset.
Captain and leading scorer Jin Li ’25 was impressed with the new coach’s approach last season.
“The change in attitude he instilled in us is very evident,” Lee said. “He makes it fun to be there, which is important because we spend so much time together throughout the year.”
Lee said he and his teammates weren't surprised when Ceglarski was officially named the program's head coach on March 28.
Ceglarski is definitely no stranger to the world of hockey. His playing career was notable for his DIII hockey school. After his four year collegiate career at SUNY Geneseo, he played professionally for a short time in his league Hockey East Coast. . He then began his coaching career as an assistant at the University of New England and went on to attend the University of Notre Dame.
After working with high-level coaches and winning numerous trophies as both a player and a coach, Ceglarski finally found his way to Middlebury as an assistant ahead of the 2021-22 season with a wealth of knowledge. . But his attachment to Middlebury goes back even further, as his father attended Middlebury and played on the hockey team. Thanks to his father, Ceglarski has long known and respected Middlebury's academic and athletic excellence.
“I want to create an environment of trust, integrity and respect,” he said. “We, as a program, need to honor our feet and appreciate every second we spend together. We are in a special place.”
Ceglarski stressed that despite his extensive credentials and a strong start to his tenure, he is a relative novice when it comes to the business of head coaching and still has much to learn.
“We're adjusting on the fly and learning as we go,” he said. “I am fortunate to be surrounded by a group of people who are passionate about turning this program around and a great support system at Middlebury Athletics.”
Coach Lee acknowledged Ceglarski's ability to communicate with and learn from his players, and emphasized his gratitude to the coach for listening to his players.
In terms of playing style, Ceglarski focused on defensive discipline and frustrating opponents. This defensive efficiency was evident in the Panthers' many wins, especially an impressive 5–1 victory in the playoffs against Bowdoin.
“We want to be responsible and organized. If we're in a system without the puck, we're going to get the puck back and we're going to get chances on the other side,” Ceglarski said.
Lee acknowledged the importance of structure in the Panthers' game, but also credited Ceglarski for giving his players more freedom on the offensive side of the game. The team scored 59 goals over the season, a significant improvement from the previous year's 43 goals.
“We have a free offense and permission to try risky plays that most coaches would frown upon,” Lee said. “Just don't let your shots get blocked.” [Ceglarski] is telling us. ”
The Panthers may have had a losing record, but they certainly had good moments throughout last season. Despite a tough start to the year, Middlebury posted an impressive 3-0 victory over No. 11 Norwich University and went on to go 4-1-1 in their next six games. This stretch helped Middlebury make the playoffs, as Middlebury defeated Bowdoin 5-1, marking the first playoff win of Seglarski's career. The Panthers lost 5-2 to eventual NESCAC champion and NCAA DIII finalist Trinity College.
The Bantams were one of the many strong teams Middlebury played closely with throughout the season, and both Ceglarski and Lee said the team will focus on perfecting the details this offseason for next year. I knew there was a need.
“We need to learn how to win as a program,” he said. “The scoring rate is so low in this league that you have to play the full 60 minutes. You can't sleep for a second.”
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Middlebury tasted success last season, and although Kenyon is out of ice until next season, the team is already back to work in the weight room and determined to improve on this season's results next winter.
