Norwich announced on Monday that Cam Ellsworth has been tabbed as the 11th head coach in the school’s 100-plus year history.
Ellsworth replaces Mike McShane, who announced his retirement on June 15 after leading Norwich to four NCAA Division III national championships in 23 years behind the Cadets’ bench.
Ellsworth has spent the last seven years as an assistant coach at UMass Lowell under Norm Bazin, including the last two years as the associate head coach.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be the next head men’s ice hockey coach at Norwich University,” Ellsworth said in a statement. “I would like to thank the search committee and the leadership at Norwich University for their confidence in me. My wife Julie, son Asher and daughter Addyson are excited to integrate into the Norwich community and get started.”
“Cam Ellsworth is an outstanding coach and seasoned recruiter who helped establish U-Mass Lowell as a national power in Division I college hockey,” Norwich director of athletics Tony Mariano added. “He brings a wealth of experience to our hockey program and I am confident he can continue the success that Norwich hockey has attained.”
Ellsworth joined the River Hawks after spending three seasons (2008-11) as an assistant coach with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers.
“We are delighted to welcome Cam Ellsworth and his family to Norwich,” said Norwich president Richard W. Schneider. “Cam is a well-respected men’s hockey coach, recruiter and mentor. We are confident he will continue one the finest of Norwich traditions of molding scholar athletes. I want to thank the members of the search committee and especially athletic director Mariano on finding an excellent addition to our coaching staff.”
Ellsworth graduated from Michigan Tech in 2005. He was a four-year letter-winner with the Huskies from 2001 to 2005, where he still ranks as the program’s all-time leader in games played (117) and saves (3,510).
He graduated in May 2017 from UMass Lowell with a Master’s degree in business with a concentration in managerial leadership.
Ellsworth’s staff will consist of the entire assistant staff from last year, led by Steve Mattson, who returns for his 19th season at Norwich. Bryce Currier and Ronny DiMasi return for their third years with the staff, while Chris Czarnota will be in his second.
