Peter G. Souris, a 2001 graduate of the University of New Hampshire and the school’s associate director of media relations, has been hired as Hockey East’s new director of public relations. Souris replaces another UNH graduate, Brion O’Connor, who served in the position for the past year.
“I couldn’t be happier with the addition of Pete to our staff,” said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna in making the announcement. “His work at New Hampshire is well known to all of us in the league and his familiarity with all we do will be a tremendous asset in the office. He brings more hands-on experience to this position than any of his predecessors in my 11 years with Hockey East.”
“I am very excited to continue my affiliation with one of the greatest college hockey conferences in the nation,” said Souris. “I am also looking forward to joining the Hockey East team, as I have much respect for both Kathy Wynters and Joe Bertagna. This is a great chance to work closely with all 11 member schools, while also strengthening relationships with local, regional and national media who cover NCAA hockey.”
Souris brings 11 years of experience to the position, and has been affiliated with the UNH athletic department since he was a student at the university in the mid-1990s. After earning his BS in Sports Studies in December of 2001, Souris was promoted to the post of assistant director of media relations the following summer, and three years later was named associate director. In addition to being the primary media contact for the UNH men’s hockey team, he served as the primary contact for women’s volleyball and women’s crew teams. Souris also served as media coordinator for the NCAA men’s hockey regionals in Manchester, N.H., in 2004 and 2007. In 2006, he also assumed responsibility for managing the department’s web site (unhwildcats.com).
Souris has also worked as a communications intern for FOX Sports Net New England and as a marketing intern for the Boston Celtics. From 1998 to 2001, he also served as co-commissioner for the Portsmouth (N.H.) Summer Basketball League.
Souris is expected to assume his Hockey East responsibilities on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
