Jim Hunt (ice hockey)

Summary

Jim Hunt is an American ice hockey former head coach and current president of the New Jersey Hitmen.[1]

Jim Hunt
Biographical details
BornFort Lee, NJ, USA
Alma materSaint Mary's
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1985–1987Saint Mary's (Assistant)
1987–1995Paramus Catholic High School
1992–1997New Jersey Junior Devils (HC/GM)
1997–2000US NTDP (Assistant)
2000–2003Fairfield
2004–2007New Jersey Hitmen (HC/GM)
2006–PresentNew Jersey Hitmen (President)
2009–2012USA Hockey (Regional Manager)
2016–PresentUSPHL (Deputy Commissioner)
Head coaching record
Overall25-65-7 (.294) (college)

Career edit

Hunt got his coaching start as an undergrad while at Saint Mary's. After graduating with a degree in criminal justice and psychology in 1987 he returned home to New Jersey to take over as head coach for the Paramus Catholic High School ice hockey team, working there until 1995.[2] towards the end of his tenure with Paramus Hunt also served as head coach and general manager for the New Jersey Junior Devils of the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League. He worked in that dual capacity until 1997 when he was hired as an assistant coach and assistant director of player personnel for the recently created US NTDP.

In 2000, after having four coaches in five years, Fairfield turned to Hunt to stabilize its young Division I program that had gone 4-59-3 the previous two campaigns. In his first season the Stags almost quadrupled their win total, going 11-19-2 and finishing tied for seventh in the conference.[3] The team regressed the next year, recording only six wins, but modest improvements saw an 8-win third season. With the team mired at the bottom of the standings the program was terminated as part of a cost-cutting measure by the university that also claimed the football program.[4]

With his time in Fairfield over Hunt once again returned to New Jersey, this time joining the newly formed New Jersey Hitmen. He worked as head coach and general manager for three years and was named as team president in 2006. While remaining with the club Hunt has also served as a regional manager for USA Hockey's American Development Model and was named as a deputy commissioner for the USPHL's youth divisions that are set to begin play in the 2016-17 season.[5]

Hunt was a police officer for 25 years, retiring as a detective for the Fort Lee Police Department.

Head coaching record edit

College edit

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Fairfield Stags (MAAC) (2000–2003)
2000–01 Fairfield 11-19-2 10-14-2 t-7th MAAC Quarterfinals
2001–02 Fairfield 6-23-3 4-19-3 10th
2002–03 Fairfield 8-23-2 7-17-2 11th
Fairfield: 25-65-7 21-50-7
Total: 25-65-7

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References edit

  1. ^ "Jim Hunt". Jersey Hitmen. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  2. ^ "has been Jim Hunt named a regional manager of USA Hockey's ADM". The World of Junior Hockey. 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  3. ^ "Jim Hunt Year-by-Year Coaching Record". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  4. ^ "Fairfield Drops Hockey Program". USCHO.com. 2003-02-06. Retrieved 2013-06-13.
  5. ^ "USPHL Announces Youth Divisions for 2016-17 Season". New York Junior Islanders. 2016-01-14. Retrieved 2016-08-15.

External links edit

  • Jim Hunt career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database