Last week’s NCAA Update took us through the most recent U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction, the progression of Colorado State alum Brett Tatman’s petition to make his alma mater an NCAA Division 1 school, and the addition of the NHL’s shootout rule to the CCHA.

This week, the update is dedicated to coaching changes as the University of Maine and Merrimack College both add new assistant bench bosses, while the University of Wisconsin bids farewell to a living legend.

Former Black Bear Returns Home to Coach

On August 22, University of Maine head coach Tim Whitehead announced that he will be joined behind the bench by a familiar face in the upcoming season. The Black Bear staff welcomes former UMaine standout Bob Corkum back into the school’s hockey family as Whitehead’s associate head coach.

Corkum, a 12 year NHL veteran, will make the leap from the junior hockey ranks to the NCAA Division 1 level. Last year Corkum led the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs, of the EJHL, to their second straight Tier III Junior A National Championship. Corkum was with the Monarchs from 2006-08 and was responsible for recruiting as well as coaching.

The former UMaine great brings valuable experience to a young team that underachieved last season. He had 132 career points as a Black Bear and another 200 with various NHL teams. He is the 25th top scorer in University of Maine hockey history and played in the Frozen Four twice during his tenure from 1985-89.

Bob Corkum will soon be joined in Orono by his son Kelen, who verbally committed to play for the Black Bears in 2007. Kelen is expected to be added to the active roster for the 2009 campaign.

Bob Corkum will replace Guy Perron, who accepted a job in the Colorado Avalanche system this summer.

Badgers Lose Coaching Asset

The University of Wisconsin has lost a coaching legend to retirement. Hockey assistant and goaltenders Coach Bill Howard decided it was time to cut ties with Badger’s program. Howard has been with the team for the last 36 years and is the only person that has been with the team for all six of its nationals titles.

Howard said in his statement that he has not lost his love for coaching and that this is not the end of his career, he has simply decided to take his knowledge in a different direction, perhaps to a younger level. Howard has coached many goalies in his illustrious career including Curtis Joseph and recent U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Mike Richter.

Merrimack Adds New Coaching Warrior

Merrimack College head coach Mark Dennehy recently announced the hiring of former Neumann College coach Phil Roy to his staff. Roy joins the Warriors after leading the Neumann College Knights to a 17-9 record in the ECAC last season.

Phil Roy is a St. Leonard, Quebec native who played defense for Clarkson University from 1996-2000. Roy was a part of two ECAC championships as a player, as well as three NCAA tournament appearances. Roy played five years of professional hockey in North America and Europe before moving behind the bench.

Roy began his coaching career with Hobart College in 2005 and helped earn his crew the ECAC West Coaching Staff of the Year award. Phil Roy preaches defense and academics, mentoring Hobart’s first All-American defenseman along with 14 All-ECAC West Academic Honorees.

This will be Roy’s first year as an NCAA Division I coach.