“I’m thrilled to be part of the Colorado College family,” Haviland said. “I have great plans for this program. I expect that we will be national contenders. The college provides every opportunity for us to succeed on and off the ice. This is an exciting opportunity for me and my family.” Haviland succeeds Scott Owens ’79, who was praised for his leadership in both athletics and academics.

Haviland, most recently head coach for the Hershey Bears, the AHL’s oldest franchise, owns an impressive record. He earned a Stanley Cup as assistant coach for the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. He was honored with the AHL’s Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Coach of the Year Award for the 2006-07 season while head coach of the Norfolk Admirals. He won ECHL championships as head coach of the Trenton Titans in 2004-05 and the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2002-03. As an assistant coach at his alma mater, Elmira College, Haviland helped guide that team to two ECAC championships in 1996-98.

“After meeting coach Haviland, it was obvious that his character and personality are a perfect fit for our program,” said defenseman Peter Stoykewych ’15, who served on the search committee. “He is a proven winner who has experienced great success with multiple organizations.”

Haviland has more than 20 years of hockey coaching experience, and became head coach of the Hershey Bears in 2013. Before arriving at Hershey, he served as associate head coach at Norfolk. From 2008-12, he was an assistant coach for the Blackhawks. Haviland got his start in the Blackhawk organization by serving as head coach of the AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs in 2007-2008. He also served as head coach for Norfolk in 2005-07; Trenton from 2004-05; and Atlantic City from 2001-04. Before 2001, Haviland served as assistant coach for several organizations.

“He gets to know his players better than any professional coach I have ever had,” said former Tiger Mark Cullen ’02, who played for Haviland in Norfolk during the 2005-06 season. “He may be the best at seeing when his team needs rest, whether it’s fatigue from three games in three nights like in the pros or at a challenging academic school like CC. I think he is a great fit.”

As a player, Haviland originally was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. His experience includes AHL time with the Binghamton Whalers (1989-90) and in the ECHL with the Richmond Renegades and the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds in 1990-91. In 1989-90, as a senior at Division III Elmira, he scored 27 goals and added 24 assists for 51 points in 23 games.

Haviland, 46, was born in Manhattan, N.Y., and grew up in Middletown, N.J. He and his future wife, Kristin, will have a blended family of six children.

CC Head Hockey Coaches’ Records