April 29, 2014

BOSTON - After spending the past decade as a Division I assistant coach throughout the Northeast, former Terrier captain Albie O'Connell (CAS '99) has returned to Boston University to serve as an assistant under head men's ice hockey coach David Quinn.

O'Connell heads back to Commonwealth Avenue following three-year stints at both Northeastern and, most recently, Harvard. He spent one season each at Holy Cross and Merrimack after a two-year appointment at Niagara. The Watertown native's coaching career began at Berkshire Prep School in 2002 before he joined the collegiate coaching ranks the following year at Colby.

"We're very excited to be adding Albie O'Connell to our staff," said Quinn. "He brings a wealth of experience in the recruiting world and is a great coach. He's passionate about Boston University hockey, has an incredible reputation in the hockey world and he'll simply continue to help us add to the long list of outstanding players we've had here at BU."

O'Connell played in two Frozen Fours (1996, 1997) and helped the Terriers reach the national championship game and claim a Hockey East title as a sophomore. He and his fellow members of the Class of 1999 are one of only four BU classes to win four Beanpots. In 149 career games, O'Connell totaled 108 points (42g, 66a) during his four years playing for Coach Jack Parker. As a senior captain, he led the 1998-99 squad in scoring with 39 points (9g, 30a).

Over the past several seasons, O'Connell has become one of the top recruiters in the country, attracting quality student-athletes to the Hockey East, ECAC Hockey and Atlantic Hockey institutions for which he's worked.

At Harvard, O'Connell worked primarily with the Crimson's defensemen and special teams. In his first season there, he directed the nation's top power-play unit, which operated at a 27.3-percent success rate, and helped the Crimson advance to the ECAC championship game.

During his three years at Northeastern (2008-11), O'Connell served as recruiting coordinator and helped the Huskies post 55 wins after the team recorded just 22 wins during the previous three-year span. The Huskies reached two Beanpot finals, two Hockey East semifinals and the 2009 NCAA tournament while O'Connell was on the staff.

At Merrimack in 2007-08, O'Connell worked primarily with the forwards and the power play while assisting in all aspects of the program. Under his guidance, the Warriors nearly doubled their goal scoring in the 2007-08 season and improved by nine wins.

O'Connell spent the 2006-07 season at Holy Cross after a two-year stint at Niagara. In addition to coaching in the collegiate ranks, O'Connell has also coached extensively with USA Hockey since 2003. During his year at Berkshire, he also served as the school's assistant dean of students and the student activities director.

A fifth-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 1994, O'Connell played professional hockey for the Pensacola Ice Pilots (East Coast Hockey League) in 1999-2000, Basingstoke Bison (British National League) in 2000-01, Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL) in 2001-02 and Cardiff Devils (BNL) in 2001-02. In 127 pro games, O'Connell posted 54 goals and 78 assists for 132 points.

O'Connell, who graduated from BU in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in history, officially starts his new job on the Terrier staff on May 1.