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Avalanche Add Caligiuri to Coaching Staff

By Neil Ravin - Content Manager, 07/10/19, 9:00AM EDT

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Potsdam Alum Set to Lead New EHLP Team

HOOKSETT, NH -- The New Hampshire Avalanche are pleased to announce that Vincent Caligiuri has been added to program's coaching staff ahead of the 2019-20 season. Caligiuri will serve as the Head Coach for the Avalanche's new junior team in the Eastern Hockey League Premier (EHLP), and he will also assist Chris Cerrella, and the back-to-back champions in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).

"I remember coaching against Vinny when he played in the league," said Mario Martiniello, the owner of the Avalanche. "I am glad to have his work ethic and character on our staff. I am very excited to start working with him this season as he starts his coaching career. Vinny is a great fit for our Premier team and our entire Avalanche program. Welcome to the Avs Coach Caligiuri!"

As Martiniello mentioned, Caligiuri is an alum of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AJHL), which became the EHL in 2013. While playing in the AJHL, Caligiuri spent two seasons under the guidance of  Cerrella, the current Head Coach and General Manager for the Avalanche's EHL team. In two seasons with the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, Cerrella's team at the time, Caligiuri posted 51 points in 70 games. The native of Shoreham, NY was the team's captain in his final year of junior hockey, and earned himself an NCAA Commitment to SUNY Potsdam.

Following a solid four-year career with Potsdam, Caligiuri has played the past two seasons in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), and is now ready to begin his coaching career.

“Vinny has great knowledge of the game and has excellent leadership skills," said Cerrella. "He was a captain for me with the Wolfpack, and was an assistant captain at Potsdam. Those qualities along with a very high-end work ethic, both on and off the ice, is why we chose to bring Vinny in. He will do what it takes to continue to make the Avalanche program better and I know he will bring his work ethic to the new Premier team as their Head Coach. You have to have a passion for coaching, and a strong work ethic like Vinny's, in order to be a good junior hockey coach. I am looking forward to working with him, this time on the other side of the bench."

With a little over a month and a half left to go before the players arrive, Caligiuri will get to work with Cerrella, as the rosters begin to finalize for both the EHL and EHLP teams. Caligiuri is very grateful for the opportunity, and is beyond eager to get started.

"I’m thankful and excited for the opportunity to start the next chapter of my hockey career with great people to learn from such as Coach Cerrella, Coach Martiniello, and the entire Avalanche organization," said Caligiuri.

Both teams will kick-off the 2019-20 season on Saturday, September 21st against the New England Wolves, with the EHL game scheduled for 4:20pm and the EHLP game set to follow at 7:30pm.