Matt Deschamps will join the St. Lawrence University men's hockey coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2016-2017 season, Charles W. Appleton II Head Men's Hockey Coach Mark Morris announced on Thursday. Deschamps spent the last two years in Austria with EC Red Bull Salzburg (RBS) Hockey Club as the head coach of the RBS U18 team while also serving the club in director and development coordinator roles.

"Matt Deschamps brings a great deal to St. Lawrence University and our hockey program," said Morris. "His playing experience, both in college and as a professional, coupled with his passion for teaching and recruiting, will be a great addition to our staff. He is an excellent communicator with a tireless work ethic. He has proven he has the ability to develop players and his energy is infectious. With Matt on board, we look to continue to land quality student-athletes as we build on St. Lawrence's rich hockey tradition."

During his time in Austria, Deschamps led Salzburg to two of its most successful seasons at the U18 level. The Red Bulls won an Ernst Bank Junior League (EBJL) Championship in 2015, and in 2016, led all EC Red Bull teams with a .741 winning percentage, playing against an U20 team from Switzerland and U18 teams from Finland, the Czech Republic, the USA and Canada.

Deschamps played college hockey at the University of Maine, appearing in 111 games for the Black Bears over four seasons from 2001 to 2005. He assisted on a triple-overtime goal in the 2004 Hockey East Championship and helped lead Maine to four NCAA tournament appearances, including two trips to the championship game. Deschamps served as an assistant captain as a senior, received the first annual Shawn Walsh Memorial Scholarship and was presented with the Richard Britt Award for Perseverance. He graduated from Maine in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in public policy, management.

After college, Deschamps attended training camp with the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks in 2005. During a five-year professional career, Deschamps had stops in the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League.

"I feel very fortunate to be joining the St. Lawrence men's hockey coaching staff," said Deschamps. "It's an amazing feeling to be returning to the United States and starting a new chapter with such a great university and community. I'm excited to work with student athletes in such a storied program. I'd like to thank Head Coach Mark Morris and Director of Athletics and Recreation Bob Durocher for the opportunity. I look forward to joining the Skating Saints family."

Deschamps resides in Canton with his wife, Kelly, two sons, Dean (7) and Graeme (4), and their golden retriever, Oscar.