Purdue University Northwest Director of Athletics Rick Costello has named Nick Tomczyk as Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach.
Tomczyk takes over the PNW American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) program after serving as director of hockey operations and video coordinator at St. Cloud State University, which advanced to the 2021 NCAA Division I national title game last spring.
"I am pleased that Nick Tomczyk will be joining the Pride of PNW," Costello said. "Nick is a coach that brings outstanding experience at the NCAA, USA Hockey, and ACHA levels. He is a rising star in the collegiate hockey coaching profession. I look forward to his amazing leadership, energy and recruiting efforts as Purdue Northwest continues to build and develop collegiate hockey in Northwest Indiana."
Tomczyk was on SCSU's staff for two seasons including the run to the NCAA Frozen Four, where the Huskies recorded an upset win over sixth-ranked Minnesota State to advance to the championship game. Tomczyk was heavily involved with daily operations of the hockey program including video scouting, logistics planning, academic services, budget management and community service activities. During his two years in Minnesota, Tomczyk helped guide SCSU to an overall record of 33-26-6 (.508).
"First off I would like to thank Rick Costello for giving me the opportunity to become the head coach of PNW hockey," Tomczyk said. "My family and I felt welcomed as soon as we came on campus. When I met with some of the other coaches in the interview process it quickly came across to me that we are all part of a team. What was also prevalent is the commitment to growing the hockey program. PNW is in its infancy as a program and becoming a special place to be a hockey player."
Tomcyzk added that he is looking forward to getting to know the players and the PNW community, as well as continuing to build on the foundation of the Pride hockey program entering its third season.
"I want to acknowledge Coach [Kevin] Cole on a tremendous job in his recruitment of players and getting this program started. I know he poured out his heart and soul into this program. In saying that, I would like to keep building on that foundation and making PNW one of the best places to be a player in the ACHA."
Although he loses an assistant coach from last year's Frozen Four team, SCSU head coach Brett Larson is excited for Tomczyk's opportunity to run his own collegiate program.
"Nick brought a passion and energy that will be missed, but we know he'll bring that same attitude to the rink every day and have a very positive impact on his student athletes at Purdue Northwest," Larson said.
Prior to SCSU, Tomczyk served as a scout for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League. Before that, he was the American scout for three seasons with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League and served for two seasons as an assistant coach with the Honey Baked AAA squad out of Michigan.
His coaching experience includes a three-year stint as head coach at Rochester College, where he helped start the ACHA DI hockey program. He also served as the associate head coach for the ACHA DI hockey program at Oakland University. Previous stops include DeLaSalle High School and Notre Dame Prep in Michigan.
Tomczyk has worked with the USA Hockey Select Festival 15 camp from 2017 to 2019 and has been active with USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program throughout his career.
Tomczyk is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a degree in physical education and health. He earned his master's degree in school administration from Saginaw Valley State.
