Damon Whitten will join Michigan Tech as an assistant coach following two years as the director of hockey operations at Michigan State, his alma mater.
Whitten, a former assistant coach at Wayne State and Alaska-Anchorage, replaces Chris Tok, who became the head coach of the Austin (Minn.) Bruins of the NAHL.
“I am excited to join [coach] Jamie [Russell] and [assistant coach] Pat [Mikesch] at Michigan Tech,” Whitten said in a statement. “I am familiar with Michigan Tech from both my playing and coaching days at Michigan State. I look forward to using my hard work and determination to help the Huskies return to [their] strong hockey tradition.”
Whitten played for Michigan State from 1997 to 2001, recording 75 points in 166 career games.
“I am very excited to be able to add Damon to our staff,” Russell said. “Damon has great recruiting experience, having worked in the WCHA, where he was instrumental in landing players that signed NHL contracts early from our league in Paul Crowder and Jay Beagle. Damon also recruited Tommy Grant, who scored 15 goals as a sophomore, and Kevin Clark, who ranked second in the WCHA last season with 18 goals.
“Damon has a proven track record and has the personality to win recruiting battles. He has learned from tremendous mentors in Ron Mason, Rick Comley, Bill Wilkinson and Dave Shyiak. I remember Damon as a player from my days in the CCHA, and he had the work ethic that propelled him from a walk-on to a team captain of the class with the highest winning percentage in Michigan State hockey history. Damon will join Patrick and I to elevate Michigan Tech hockey up the WCHA ladder. We couldn’t be more pleased with the quality of recruiter, coach and person we have added in Damon.”
Whitten starts at Michigan Tech on June 15.
