DU Signs Big Name Assistant David Lassonde

David Lassonde

U.S. Hockey Report mentioned today that David Lassonde, who has been an assistant coach on Dick Umile's University of New Hampshire staff for the past 18 years, is leaving the program to take an assistant coaching job with the University of Denver, filling the position vacated by Derek Lalonde, who was hired as head coach of the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers.

Last week, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post mentioned that DU was interviewing Coach Lassonde.  Lassonde played goalie at Providence College from 1981-83, has spent 18 of his 24 years as a Division I assistant with the Wildcats; he also worked at Wisconsin and Miami (Ohio). He is the longest-tenured UNH assistant coach in the history of the program and has mentored All-American Wildcat goalies Ty Conklin, Kevin Regan, Mike Ayers, Jeff Levy and Brian Foster, according to his bio on the UNH hockey website.

18 comments:

dggoddard said...

Great hire for DU. The speed of the hire tells you how good this guy is.

Gwozdecky would of had hundreds resumes, but no doubt once saw Lassonde's qualifications it was a no brainer.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great hire.

Anonymous said...

Goalie coach will be a big deal this year.

BooneDogg said...

agreed, this year is especially important to have a proven goalie coach. I can't help but imagine this will have a positive effect on recruiting top goalies as well, not that that has been a major issue in the past.

Anonymous said...

his experience with national championships at unh should also prove to be valuable.

4 eyed Zebra said...

UNH has never won a national championship....

Anonymous said...

UNH has a history of choking in the first of second round of the NCAA's.

miller said...

great addition to the staff, welcome Dave. He is going to have his hands full right off getting Murray to play up to his abilities.

dggoddard said...

Anon 12:42 was being facetious. Its an old online joke. :-)

BooneDogg said...

then it's about time we allow coach lassonde to feel the glory of being a national champion... i hope.

dggoddard said...

It will interesting to hear what was the motivating factors in his decision to leave UNH.

Friction with Umile, building the resume before taking over from Umile, Colorado lifestyle or family issues?

Lassonde has been a USA Goaltendering Camp instructor in Colorado Springs for several seasons. So he is familiar with the area.

Anonymous said...

If you are 18 years in the same job in the same place, you are either feeling exceedingly confortable or likely itching to get out and try something new.

If I were a head coach, I'd probably not want to have the same assistant for more than 15 years, either. You'll likely get stale.

Anonymous said...

One big reason DU has had success is the same assistant that Gwozdecky has had for the last forever years. We are lucky to have had them together for so long.
s11

old pio said...

Welcome coach Lassonde. Regardless of his reasons for leaving UNH, getting the quality guy you were after speaks well for the program. Anonymous is right, having consistency on your coaching staff is a big plus. At Nebraska, Tom Osborne had the same offensive coordinator (himself), defensive coordinator and offensive line coach for a quarter of a century. You think those guys weren't on the same page?

Anonymous said...

On a lighter note, isn't ironic how you more or less add an ass to LaLonde and you get the new coach?? There's probably a better joke in that somewhere. But yes, this is great news. Hope he's ready to get to work. He better take advantage of Kohls' Summer Clearance sales going on right now.... because he's going to need some short pants for Tampa Bay!!!

Anonymous said...

Anyone who has spent any time in New Hampshire knows his motivation for coming to Denver ... imagine South Carolina but damp and cold all the time, and without the culture ;-) ... on the plus side, they do have cheap booze and no sales tax, so there's that.

vizoroo said...

Great addition for DU. Hope he and Murray, Brittain and the Finn all talk the same language.

Anonymous said...

pretty sure Lassonde was with Wisconsin when they won in the early 90s