First-year Wentworth head coach R.J. Tolan has chosen Michael Bertoni and Kevin Crowder as assistant coaches.
A native of Franklin, Mass., Bertoni is certainly no stranger to Division III college hockey, having played and coached at the Mass.-Boston. A four-year letter winner who played in 83 games, Bertoni was a captain for the Beacons during his senior season (2001-02) and jumped behind the bench to serve as an assistant coach during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Midway through the 2003-04 season, he assumed the position of interim head coach and was named the head coach prior to the 2004-05 season, a position he held until the end of 2005.
Bertoni earned his Bachelors degree from Mass.-Boston in Physical Education in 2002 and is presently working on a Masters degree in Special Education.
“Mike Bertoni brings a great work ethic and a passion for the game to the program,” said Tolan. “These qualities will definitely be an asset to our team.”
Currently a senior majoring in Civil Engineering at neighboring Northeastern, Crowder was affiliated with the Husky hockey program for four seasons, including cracking the lineup as a junior. A native of Salem, N.H., Crowder starred in both ice hockey and lacrosse at Bishop Guertin High School before joining Northeastern.
Hockey runs deep in the Crowder household, as his father, Bruce, is presently an assistant coach with the Portland Pirates after having served as the head coach at both Northeastern and Mass.-Lowell. Kevins younger brother, Scott, is a sophomore on Massachusetts hockey team this season.
“Kevin is a highly motivated and intelligent person who will be successful in coaching or any career path he chooses,” said Tolan. “We are lucky to have him on our staff this year.”
Both new assistant coaches will be assisting Tolan with all facets of both on and off-ice coaching for the Leopards, including game preparation, practice planning, scouting, and recruiting. Wentworth, which finished the 2005-06 campaign with a 14-12 record, will open the 2006-07 campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at home against Worcester State.
