North Haven High officials have tabbed one of its own to be the new boys’ hockey coach.
Tom Roche, who played hockey at North Haven and graduated in 1973, has been selected as the new Indians’ coach. He played defense for the Indians the first season (1971-72) they played as a varsity program. He also played for the Quinnipiac men’s hockey team from 1975-77.
“When the opportunity to coach at my alma matter became available, I had to apply,” said Roche, 55, who is a project manager at Yale-New Haven Hospital. “The chance to finally come home is a dream come true.
“Coming to North Haven I have been blessed with four very strong captains, a solid senior class and over 30 underclassmen who want to play. I am not used to having such a large feeder group of players. Because of this we will continue to have a full JV (junior varsity) program.”
Roche has been a coach for almost 40 years at all different levels but said he enjoys the high school age players the most. He is vice president of the Greater New Haven Youth Hockey program and also is the program’s Midget (Under-18) director.
Roche coached Shelton from 2008-2010 and last season (2010-2011) was instrumental in getting the team to co-op with Staples-Weston. The co-op move proved to be successful as the team advanced to the CIAC Division III finals. Shelton-Staples-Weston lost 4-0 to Watertown-Pomperaug in the D-III final.
“I am thrilled to be back at North Haven after 40 years and I plan to finish my coaching career where I started,” said Roche. “The goal for us will always be to get to the post season.”