The Western Michigan Broncos have hired former Ferris goalie and assistant coach Jeff Blashill as the fifth head coach in the hockey program’s history.
Prior to accepting the job at Western Michigan, Blashill served as the head coach of the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League for the previous two seasons. The Ice finished as USHL champions in his first season with the team and Blashill has compiled a 72-43-5 record in two seasons.
Blashill served as an assistant under Bulldog head coach Bob Daniels from 1998-2001 before serving as an assistant coach at Miami from 2002-2008. Blashill replaces Jim Culhane who was relieved of his coaching duties at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 season.
Daniels said Blashill’s communication skills and knowledge of the game of hockey will help him be successful as a collegiate coach. Blashill was a goaltender at Ferris from 1994-1998, where he ranks in the top 12 in school history in goals-against average, victories, and saves.
“I also think he will do an outstanding job as he directs the recruiting efforts for Western Michigan,” said Daniels.
The lineage of college head and assistant coaches runs deep through the Bob Daniels tree of coaching. Six former Bulldog players or assistant coaches have become assistants and head coaches at NCAA Division I hockey programs after learning under Daniels.