Niagara has rounded out its coaching staff with the addition of former Purple Eagles’ defenseman Pat Oliveto as an assistant coach.
“I am very pleased to welcome Pat and his family back to the Niagara University community,” Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said in a press release. “He was a role model on and off the ice as a student-athlete. His experience as a professional player and his most recent coaching tenure at Buffalo State made him the best candidate for the coaching vacancy with Niagara hockey. He brings a great deal of passion and energy back to his alma mater. He truly is the perfect fit to our staff.”
Oliveto, who played at Niagara from 2003-07, recorded 10 goals, 46 assists and 56 points in 138 games with the Purple Eagles and was named Niagara’s male student-athlete of the year in 2007.
Following graduation, Oliveto spent two seasons in the ECHL with the Mississippi Sea Wolves before heading back to Western New York as an assistant coach with Buffalo State. With the Bengals, Oliveto was in charge of recruiting, while assisting with practices, video sessions and scouting.
