Neumann University Men’s Ice Hockey team has recently hired a new head coach, Michael Hedden, hoping to make substantial changes in the program.
Hedden is a legacy coach of serious distinction. As a player at Neuman, he accumulated a series of stats that left him in the history books.
He currently has the record for most goals scored, sitting at 96, while the person in second place is sitting at 61. Hedden also ranks second in games played and total career points.
During Hedden’s career playing at Neumann, he was an assistant captain during the 2009 season when they won the Division 3 National Championship. Hedden was also awarded Eastern College Athletic Conference West All-Conference team honors for all four seasons he played.
Hedden started his career at Neumann as a fourth line player and worked his way up. He graduated in 2009 and was inducted into the Neumann Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
So far under Coach Hedden, the Knights are sitting at 5-12 with only a few games left in the season. He is looking to work his way up again.
Hedden started playing hockey at a young age in Dunnville, Ontario, and continued his career through college as he was one of the last few recruits from his year.
After graduating from Neumann, Hedden played for the Toledo Walleye of the East Coast Hockey League and was also a member of the Texas Stars for three seasons during which they won the American Hockey League Calder Cup in 2014. Hedden also represented Team Canada in the Spengler Cup in 2014.
Nearing the end of his career he was a member of the Elite Ice Hockey League Playoff Champions Cardiff Devils before he transitioned into a coach starting his career with the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush in 2021 and then getting an assistant coaching position with the Oshawa Generals (OHL) in 2021- 2023.
And is now the head coach of his college team, Neumann University.
Editor’s Note: Hedden led his team to an overall 7-16-1 record and did not qualify for the UCHC playoff. However, the story of his journey back to Neumann University is worth telling.
