Changes ahead for Alabama Hockey as it opens up volunteer staff opportunities

Interested in marketing, sales, sports communication, gameday ops and the like? Are you an Alabama student (preferred?)

Alabama Hockey is looking for you, and they need a ton of intern/volunteer-types:

Alabama hockey is Alabama’s ACHA-I level club team (It is one step below the big boys with scholarship players -- think AAA ball. But one day soon the club will hopefully gain scholarship status as a D1 team.)

After long-time ‘Bama coach Mike Quenneville retired, Alabama turned to goaltending alum and former Columbus Cottonmouths assistant, John Bierchen. Coach Bierchen had a fantastic first season, especially in player development and bringing an exciting offense to the rink.

But last week, Bierchen received an opportunity that was simply too good to turn down, when he was hired by the ECHL’s Indy Fuel to assist in club operations and coaching.

“On behalf of the entire Indy Fuel organization, we are extremely excited to have John join our coaching staff,” [Bernie] John said. “His name came up through some quality references who all spoke very highly of him. Moving forward he will have a hand in many different areas of the hockey operations department, and will help play a critical role in helping our organization take the next step forward.”

Bierchen, 29, brings a versatile array of coaching experience to Indianapolis, including three years as an assistant coach with the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Columbus Cottonmouths from 2013-2016. During his time in Columbus, Bierchen helped the Cottonmouths to a 79-74-15 regular season record (.515) and two playoff berths, including a trip to the President’s Cup Finals in 2014. While in Columbus, Bierchen helped advance 11 players to the ECHL, in addition to coaching the 2014-15 SPHL Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

Most recently, the University of Alabama graduate returned to his alma mater in 2016-17 to lead the burgeoning club hockey program in Tuscaloosa – becoming the first former Crimson Tide player to return as a head coach. With Bierchen at the helm, Alabama skated to a 19-14-2 record, the most wins in the program’s ACHA Division I era.

Best of luck to John, who is an energetic, engaging and passionate guy. He’ll do a great job in Indianapolis.

As for ‘Bama hockey, the club is still in the process of a coaching search, but we do know Alabama has a very ambitious schedule for the 2017-2018 season, playing 34 of its 38 games against fellow ACHA-I competition: Whoever gets the nod will have a lot of quality opponents to prepare for.

As the season approaches, we’ll have more on the team. And, if you’re a student and looking for an intern or volunteer staff opportunity, drop an application off at www.alabamahockey.com/apply.

#BamaHockeyFever

Catch it!