Eddie Effinger has been hired as the new men’s hockey head coach at Amherst College, the school announced in a release on Monday. Effinger takes over for Jack Arena, who announced his retirement in May after 42 years behind the bench with the Mammoths.
Effinger spent the past five seasons as head coach of St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where he led the Oles to a 54-49-11 record. Prior to that, Effinger starred for Amherst on the ice as a player from 2009-12 where he racked up 77 points in 97 career games.
“Amherst College is a special place with traditions of excellence throughout campus,” Effinger said in a statement released by Amherst College athletics. “The opportunity to be a part of that experience with our hockey program has always been a dream. I’d like to thank Don Faulstick, Martha Umphrey (Amherst College Provost and Dean of Faculty), and everyone involved in the hiring process for the opportunity to lead our men’s hockey program. My family and I are incredibly grateful and honored to be returning to a place we call home. I am excited to get to work with our student-athletes and the Amherst College community.”
After graduating in 2012, Effinger played professional hockey in the Central Hockey League for one season, before taking his first coaching gig with the Mammoths as an assistant alongside Arena from 2013-19. Amherst went 89-48-21 across Effinger’s six seasons as an assistant, which included a NESCAC title in 2014-15.
“We are thrilled to welcome back Eddie Effinger to Amherst as our new men’s ice hockey coach,” Faulstick said. “His success at St. Olaf, combined with the strong foundation he built here as a player and assistant, make him the ideal person to carry forward the legacy of excellence that Jack Arena established over 41 seasons. Our entire department is excited to work with him.”
Effinger also served as Boston University’s director of hockey operations for a season before behind hired as St. Olaf’s head coach.
