Sunday, September 12, 2010

DONEGHEY TO JOIN BLACKHAWKS STAFF

Press Release

Bridgewater, MA- The Bridgewater Bandits and Eastern Junior Hockey League congratulate former Bandits head coach Mike Doneghey on his acceptance of a full-time scouting position with the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

“It’s pretty exciting to work with the Blackhawks,” remarked Doneghey, who scouted part-time for the team last year. “They’re an ‘Original Six’ team and they have a great staff that’s very cohesive. It was great to be part of the team for their Stanley Cup run and they’ll still be one of the top teams in the NHL.”

Doneghey came to Bridgewater in 2005 after serving as an assistant coach at Merrimack College and immediately turned the team into playoff contenders. During his tenure, the team sent 24 players to NCAA Division One teams and 32 to the Division Three ranks. Under Dongehey’s guidance, the team qualified for the playoffs from 2006 to 2009 and advanced to the EJHL semifinals in 2009, when he won the league’s Coach of the Year Award.

As a player, Doneghey starred in goal at Catholic Memorial High School (West Roxbury, MA) and was selected by the Blackhawks in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He then played four seasons at Merrimack and finished his career playing professionally in France.

After his playing career ended, Doneghey served as an assistant coach at Hamilton College (NESCAC) and University of New Hampshire (Hockey East). He became the head coach at Fairfield University in 1997 and was responsible for elevating the squad to the NCAA Division One level. Two years later, he accepted an assistant coaching position at his alma mater, where he stayed until 2005.

Doneghey will continue to serve as the Bandits’ goaltending coach while completing his scouting duties for the Blackhawks.

“I’ve always wanted to scout for an NHL team,” he said, “but I’ll miss the camaraderie and helping the players with college decisions. I had great experiences with [assistant coach] Rich Alger and [team owners] the Ewing family and can only say great things about them.”

Todd Stirling will assume head coaching duties for the Bandits for the upcoming season. Stirling is currently the manager of the Bandits youth hockey teams as well as the director of Hub City Hockey.

“Todd’s worked with the Bandits for five years now,” noted Doneghey, “so he knows the organization well. He’s also coached at Babson and scouted for the New York Islanders and helped me build last year’s team. There’s no question the team is in good hands with him behind the bench. I wish Todd and the players the best of luck this season.”

Congratulations to Mike Doneghey and the Bridgewater Bandits!

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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