Cougars Name Gardiner as New Hockey Head Coach

(Howell, MI)-- Scott Gardiner has been named the second head coach in Cleary hockey’s program history.

“Scott brings years of coaching experience to the Cougar coaching staff,” said Cleary University Vice President of Campus Operations and Athletic Director Heather Bateman.  “We believe that Scott’s connections will help the program build for the future, and his coaching experience will help us to compete in the WHAC and ACHA.”

Gardiner has over 20 years of coaching experience, and has coached in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), the Midwest Junior Hockey League (MWJHL), the United States Hockey League (USHL), the North American Hockey League (NAHL), and the Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL).  He has also spent time coaching youth and club hockey teams in the area, working with the Little Caesar’s and Belle Tire club teams, winning a state championship with the Belle Tire Midget Majors in 2010.  His ties to the area are strong, as he was the head coach for Hartland High School hockey from 1999-2001.

“I certainly want to thank (President) Dr. Alan Drimmer, (Athletic Director) Heather Bateman, and (Assistant Athletic Director) Max Ballinger for the opportunity to lead the Cleary hockey program.  Being from Brighton, and being around the program, I know what this program can be.  I am excited to work towards getting this program to become a top ACHA program, a leader in the WHAC, and a top destination for quality student-athletes.  These next few months will be challenging, but I am excited to see what we can do here.”

Gardiner plans to use his local and international connections to help build strong future recruiting classes. “I know the local coaches and will target the wealth of talent in Livingston and Oakland Counties.  We will do whatever we can to build this program for the future, and will bring in a mix of local, international, and players with junior league experience to help us achieve this goal.”

As a player, Gardiner played collegiately at the University of Windsor after playing in the OHL for the Belleville Bulls and the Windsor Spitfires (1981-84).  He played his way to a free-agent tryout with the NHL’s New York Rangers in 1985.

The Cleary Cougars ACHA D1 hockey team will be back in action on January 6 and January 7, when they take on the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils in a two-game home and home series.  Cleary will host the Blue Devils on Friday, January 6, at 140 Ice Den.  The game will begin at 8:30 PM.