ORONO, Maine – University of Maine men's ice hockey head coach Red Gendron has announced the promotion of Alfie Michaud to a full-time assistant coaching role with the Black Bears. Michaud served as the volunteer goaltending coach at UMaine during the 2016-17 season.

"We are extremely pleased to have Coach Michaud join our coaching staff full-time," Gendron said. "He brings outstanding knowledge of the game generally and also exceptional skill as a goalie coach. Given his roots in Western Canada, he will be very valuable to our recruiting efforts in that region. As a former player here at UMaine, his legacy is legendary."

As a player for the Black Bears, Michaud helped guide the University of Maine to its second NCAA National Championship in 1999, earning the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player accolade and an NCAA All-Tournament team recognition. In 1998, Michaud was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament team.

"I am very grateful to the University of Maine and Coach Gendron for this great opportunity," Michaud said. "I am very humbled and honored to be able to work for our great program. I am looking forward to working along side Red and Ben (Guite) as well as the entire hockey staff on a full-time basis. I am excited about giving back to the University that has given me and my family so much."

Following his graduation from the University of Maine in 1999, Michaud spent parts of 16 years in as a goaltender in the professional ranks, including stints with the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks and the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch and Manitoba Moose.

Aside from his playing career, Michaud has built an impressive coaching and mentoring resume. Since 2010, he has been the owner and coach of Dream Catcher's Hockey, which offers private coaching and clinics. Michaud spent a year as the head coach of the U18 Portland Junior Pirates before being named goalie coach for the Portland Pirates in 2014. He spent a year with Portland's AHL club before opening RISE Sport Testing, a developmental testing agency for schools and various sports.

-UMaine-