Rivier University names inaugural Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach
Eric Sorenson joins Raiders Athletics as Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach to establish and launch the program in fall 2021.
Rivier University has named Eric Sorenson as the first head coach for its new men’s ice hockey program. Currently an NCAA Division III assistant hockey coach, Sorenson joins Raiders Athletics with a wealth of experience in player recruitment, development, and coaching. He will play an integral role in establishing and recruiting players for the University’s NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey program, scheduled to launch in 2021.
Demonstrating its commitment to college athletics and student success, the University announced last month that it will add men’s and women’s ice hockey to its roster of athletic teams next fall, expanding to 15 intercollegiate teams. Conway Arena in Nashua will serve as the Raiders’ home ice.
“We are pleased to welcome Eric to Raiders Athletics and to work with him to achieve our vision for the men’s ice hockey program,” says Joanne Merrill, Director of Athletics. “I believe his coaching experience and leadership will motivate student-athletes to achieve their full potential as scholars and athletes.”
Sorenson joins Rivier after serving as the NCAA Division III Assistant Coach for men’s ice hockey at Williams College (NESCAC) and Nazareth College (UCHC) over the past six seasons. His teams advanced to Conference playoffs in five of the six seasons. Prior to his tenure in college hockey, he held head coach and assistant coach/goaltending coach positions with the Rochester Jr. Americans. For nine years, he coached and managed off-ice operations for Mitch Korn Goaltending Camps. Sorenson was the starting goaltender when he played for Western New England University’s hockey team and is the program record holder for career wins by a goalie, career saves, and career shutouts.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help build this program,” says Sorenson. “As the program leader, I will support a character-based culture with a focus on skill development, team, academics, and community involvement aimed at providing each student-athlete with the foundation to be successful in life.”
Sorenson is a resident of Framingham, Massachusetts. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Sport Management from Western New England University and a master’s degree in Sport Administration from Canisius College.
“Eric is the whole package—player, coach, mentor, scholar, and operations manager. His knowledge and experience support a strong start for our men’s ice hockey program, which will add new dimensions to student life at Rivier,” says Kurt Stimeling, Vice President for Student Affairs.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is actively recruiting student-athletes to play for the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams for their inaugural seasons in fall 2021. Students interested in learning more about playing ice hockey at Rivier University should contact Paul Brower, Vice President for Enrollment Management, at (603) 897-8507 or pbrower@rivier.edu. Students can take advantage of Rivier’s Early Acceptance Program, which offers on-the-spot acceptance and $2,500 in incentives when they apply, interview, and tour campus by November 25. Interview and tour dates can be scheduled online at www.rivier.edu/REAP2021.