The St. Thomas athletics department welcomed new men’s hockey coach Rico Blasi at a press conference Tuesday.

President Julie Sullivan and athletic director Phil Esten were the first to introduce Blasi to the Tommies’ athletic staff.

“I’m very confident that our hockey players will continue to be hardworking, disciplined, team-oriented men who will excel on the ice and in the classroom,” Sullivan said. “I’m confident (Blasi) is going to deliver that.”

Esten said that Blasi is “perfectly positioned” to help with the team’s transition to Division I.

“It was clear going through this process that there were some interested in becoming a Division I coach and some who were interested in becoming the head coach at St. Thomas,” Esten said. “Rico’s checked every single one of these boxes. He’s a seasoned, culture-driven leader who’s aligned with our values.”

Blasi brings 20 years of Division I coaching experience to St. Thomas, and an extensive resume. He served as men’s hockey coach at Miami University in Ohio from 1999 to 2019 and was D-I’s youngest head coach when hired at age 27.

Under his watch, Miami brought home five conference championships, 10 NCAA tournament appearances, two Frozen Four appearances in a row with one of them being a national runner-up, five-time coach of the year in the former CCHA and a national coach of the year award in 2006.

The transition brings tough competition to St. Thomas with five other Division I programs in Minnesota. Blasi mentions the importance of recruiting for future seasons.

“Obviously recruiting is going to be a big part,” Blasi said. “We’re going to build this the right way. We are going to make sure every individual that is a part of our program fits our culture and our values.”

Esten and Blasi also congratulated departing coach Jeff Boeser for his time as a player, assistant coach and head coach of the Tommies for nearly 40 years.

“The way that you have coached not just hockey but generally, I think has been exemplary,” Esten said about Boeser. “The fact that you care as much about our student-athletes as you do about them as human beings that means a lot.”

Sophomore defender Charlie Kiefer felt Blasi is “the right guy for the job” and looks forward to being a part of his “brotherhood,” a phrase that Blasi coined at Miami University while he was head coach there.

“I think definitely what he will continue on what we have here is just a good camaraderie,” Kiefer said. “(St. Thomas) is the best jelling team I’ve ever been on.”

Blasi’s team will join the newly-formed Central Collegiate Hockey Association next season.

Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.
Olivia Paradise can be reached at para4336@stthomas.edu.