(Canton, N.Y.)- SUNY Canton is pleased to announce that Trevor Gilligan has been hired as the new men’s ice hockey coach.

Gilligan takes over for assistant athletic director Pat Martin, who served as an interim coach for the second half of the 2012-13 season.

Gilligan has spent the past five years at the Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y. as head midget hockey coach, boy’s hockey recruiting director and strength and conditioning coach, as well as an admissions assistant and social science teacher.

“Trevor was a national champion as a player, and he’s a proven winner as a coach,” said Athletic Director Randy B. Sieminski. “Everyone he interviewed with loved his dedication, knowledge and passion for the game. We think he’s going to be a great coach here at SUNY Canton, and we’re looking forward to watching him grow our program to new heights in the NCAA.”

At Northwood, Gilligan was responsible for coaching the offense and special teams, designing daily practice plans, and overseeing detailed video sessions with players, scheduling and travel arrangements. In addition, as the recruiting director, he developed a solid network of contacts throughout many levels of hockey. Gilligan has also coached at the Can/Am Hockey School Summer Camps.

Gilligan earned his bachelor’s degree in wellness management with a minor in coaching from Oswego State University. He was a member of the Lakers men’s ice hockey team for four years, and part of the team that won the Division III national championship in 2007. He earned an Academic Award of Excellence for Student-Athletes every year, and was named to the SUNYAC All-Academic Team in the Spring of 2004.