John Rose named Nanook hockey assistant coach

Submitted by Jamie Schanback
Phone: (907) 474-6807
07/24/07

University of Alaska Fairbanks athletics director Forrest Karr announced Tuesday that former Mercyhurst College assistant men’s hockey coach John Rose has been selected to complete the Nanook hockey coaching staff.

"I’m very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the hockey program at Alaska Fairbanks," Rose said. "Doc DelCastillo is very highly regarded and I am honored that he asked me to be a part of his staff."

DelCastillo met Rose through Minnesota Hockey Camps and has gotten to know him better over the last three years through camps as well as recruiting in Omaha.

"He’s a relentless worker," said DelCastillo. "I’ve known him for the last three years and no one I’ve come across is as hard of a worker as John Rose is. John’s strength is his recruiting and he’ll be on the road quite a bit."

In three years with the Lakers, Rose served as a volunteer assistant for two seasons before making the move to assistant coach during the 2006-07 season. With the Lakers, Rose’s responsibilities included recruiting, strength and conditioning, video tape analyzing, pre-scouting opponents and practice planning.

Prior to Mercyhurst, Rose coached for a year at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, a Division III program of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Northeast. The Leopards went 16-9-4 that season (2003-04) and made an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Originally from Potsdam, N.Y., Rose attended New England College in Henniker, N.H. and graduated in 2003 with degrees in business administration and sports recreation management.

Rose was a four-year defenseman for the Pilgrims’ hockey program. During Rose’ sophomore campaign (2000-01), the Pilgrims won the ECAC East championship and participated in the Division III NCAA Tournament.

Rose fills the void left by Alaska Nanooks former assistant coach Wade Klippenstein and will join first-year head coach Doc Delcastillo and fourth-year assistant Dallas Ferguson on Alaska’s bench this season.

"With John, Dallas and I, we have a great combination of guys who are willing to strap their boots on and go to work," DelCastillo said.