Rivier Men’s Ice Hockey Announces Coaching Staff Additions for 2023-24 Season

NASHUA, N.H. – Prior to the start of the 2023-24 men's ice hockey season, Rivier head coach Shaun Millerick announced the addition of three assistant coaches to his staff. Billy Purdue and John Coughlin were tabbed assistant coaches while John Bastoni was named the goaltender coach.

Purdue played with the Raiders in the 2022-23 season after wrapping up a four-year career at Post University. During his college career, he took time to assist the Seahawks Hockey Club of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) in the 2019-20 season before serving as an instructor with IPH Hockey Skills in 2021.

"I am really excited to join the Rivier men's ice hockey coaching staff," said Purdue. "I feel fortunate for the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level, after spending four years playing including my last at Riv. I am looking forward to the season."

During his first year on the bench, he will continue his pursuit of his MBA in Healthcare Administration at Rivier.

Coughlin brings a wealth of experience at the high school, junior, and collegiate levels with him as he rejoins the Rivier staff this season. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Framingham St. University in the 1990-91 season. Nearly a decade later, he served as the associate head coach of the Eastern Junior Kodiaks out of Exexter, N.H. from 2009 to 2011.  During the 2021-22 season, Purdue was an assistant during Rivier's inaugural season. Last season, he served as the Malden Catholic High School girls' varsity hockey coach while scouting for the ACHA club team at St. Cloud St. University.

"I am very excited to be back at Riv," said Coughlin. "I love this team and look forward to working with the returning players, new players, and coaching staff."

Prior to his coaching career, Coughlin was a four-year letterwinner at Saint Lawrence University until graduation in 1985.

Bastoni joins the Raiders staff after assisting at multiple programs over the past two seasons. In 2021-22, he served as the goaltender coach for the Saint Mary's (Lynn) High School and the University of New England teams before assisting Salem St. University in 2022-23.

"I couldn't be more excited to join the Rivier coaching staff," said Bastoni. "This is an up-and-coming program with talent all over the roster. I look forward to helping this team achieve new heights in the 2023-24 season and beyond."

The Raiders return to Conway Arena next month in preparation for the regular-season which begins on Friday, Oct. 27 versus Alvernia at 7:20 p.m. on home ice.