Eddie Effinger, who spent a combined 10 years with the Amherst College men’s hockey team as a student-athlete and an assistant coach, was named the director of men’s hockey operations at Boston University in July 2019.
Effinger served as an assistant coach on Jack Arena’s staff for six seasons following an impressive playing career at Amherst and was part of the Mammoths’ only two national semifinal appearances, first as a senior in 2012 and then again in 2015 as a coach.
Effinger recruited student-athletes from across North America to Amherst and established and managed a development model through skill sessions, video analysis and off-ice training. He oversaw the team’s goaltenders and analyzed scout video on opponents while assisting with hockey operations, including team travel, meals and equipment.
The Illinois native was a two-time captain at Amherst and played in 97 career games, totaling 77 points on 38 goals and 39 assists, and helped the team capture the 2009 and 2012 NESCAC titles. With Effinger on the team, Amherst posted a 74-23-10 record, resulting in the highest winning percentage over a four-year period in program history. Following graduation, Effinger played professionally for one season in the Central Hockey League with the Quad City Mallards.
During his time as an assistant coach, Effinger was a LEADS staff member, helping design curriculum dedicated to leadership development for over 200 student-athletes. He managed a LEADS initiative that exposed student-athletes to the growing industry of analytics and data management while also helping to implement professional development opportunities for the athletic department that focused on recruiting, communicating with student-athletes, wellness and sports psychology.
As a senior, Effinger was named the recipient of the 2012 Friends of Amherst Athletics Award, given those who have demonstrated through determined effort and sportsmanship the desire for excellence.
Effinger earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Amherst in 2012. He served as a coach and evaluator for the U.S. National Team Development program from 2015-17 at sites in New Hampshire and Utah.
