After 12 years at the helm of the Rensselaer Engineers, Dan Fridgen has resigned as the head coach. In his 12 years he had compiled a record of 211-193-38, the most wins of any head coach in Rensselaer history.
Before taking over in 1994 for Buddy Powers, Fridgen was an assistant coach for the Engineers.
“Rensselaer has offered me a tremendous opportunity over the past 17 years,” Fridgen said. “My family and I are very thankful for all the experiences we have shared with some tremendous people in the program, on the campus and in the community. I wish the team nothing but success.”
“Dan Fridgen has served Rensselaer admirably over the past 17 years, including 12 as the head coach, and his efforts are greatly appreciated,” said RPI AD Ken Ralph. “As we enter this period of transition, there is great excitement about the new opportunities ahead for our student athletes and dedicated fans.”
“I applaud Dan for his hard work and dedication to the Institute and for the compassion and commitment he has exhibited to his players. We wish him all the best,” said Rensselaer President Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. “Rensselaer has a great hockey tradition, and we will now take the necessary steps to begin a new chapter in our program’s history.”
“We are very proud of the outstanding student-athletes Dan has recruited and introduced to the Rensselaer community,” said Dr. Eddie Ade Knowles, vice president of student life. “Building on Rensselaer’s strong tradition of scholar athletes, we will continue to field a team that is solid on the ice and in the classroom.”
In those 12 season he compiled eight winning seasons, including five 20-win campaigns, and his teams finished in the top three in the league standings three times. The Engineers won the ECAC Championship in his first year as the head coach in 1995.
The last four years have been difficult for Fridgen as his team’s finished 11th, 5th, 11th and 6th. This past season the Engineers battled through injuries to finish in a tie for 6th place in the ECACHL, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Quinnipiac in two games.
A search for his replacement will begin immediately.
The 2006-07 Engineers return 18 players from this year’s team, including two of the top three scorers and their starting goaltender. In addition, Kirk MacDonald, the team’s top scorer in 2004-05 who was a medical red-shirt in this season, is also expected to return.
