By Currier Times Staff//

Curry men’s hockey coach, TJ Manastersky, has confirmed to The Currier Times and has told his Curry players he is moving on. He reached out to the players saying he was thankful for his time with team.

His departure was first reported in New England Hockey Journal, where they announced that Manastersky had accepted a position of assistant coach for the Union College hockey team in Schenectady, NY.

Union College is a Division One hockey program that won the NCAA National Championship in 2014. Curry plays in Division Three.

Coach Manastersky told The Currier Times he will fondly remember his years at Curry.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to coach at Curry College,” said Manastersky. “It is a special place with special people. It is a bittersweet feeling and I feel good about leaving the hockey program in a great position for continued success.”

Coach Manastersky was at Curry for nine seasons, arriving in 2012, becoming the youngest head coach in NCAA hockey. He is originally from Oakville, Ontario. You can read more about his time at Curry here.

Curry hockey players are reacting to the departure of their coach. Tarek Paranica, a rising senior Communication major from Grand Forks, North Dakota, told The Currier Times, it was a big loss.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say we thank coach for all of the hard work and dedication that he put into the Curry Hockey program,” said Paranica. “It truly won’t be the same here without him.”

Paranica added that the team will need to move forward the best they can.

“We have a resilient group of players and we will keep working towards our goals of winning a national championship,” said Paranica. “We wish coach the best of luck in the future.”

Alex Bouchard, a rising senior Communication major from Winnipeg, Manitoba, said he was thankful for his three years with the coach.

“As much as this news was somewhat shocking it was also exciting to see a coach who brought our wonderful group together get a new opportunity,” said Bouchard. “I am very grateful that he has connected me with people who I know will be lifelong friends. I wish him the best in his new position at Union College.”

The search now begins for a new men’s hockey coach. Curry will also debut their first-ever women’s NCAA hockey team this coming fall. Kelly Rider will be the head coach for the women’s team as they begin their inaugural season.