Norm Bazin, formerly an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Colorado College, has been named the head men's ice hockey coach at Hamilton College.
Bazin has been at Colorado College since 2000. He helped lead the Tigers to six NCAA Division I tournament appearances, three Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) titles and more than 200 victories during those eight seasons.
Bazin replaces veteran Hamilton head coach Phil Grady, who retired in 2008 after posting a record of 304-260-34 with 18 postseason appearances in 24 seasons.
"On behalf of so many Hamilton College hockey enthusiasts, I am thrilled to welcome Norm Bazin to our community," Athletic Director Jon Hind '80 said. "Having spent the last several years at Colorado College, coach Bazin fully understands the exciting challenge of coaching highly motivated student-athletes in a rigorous academic setting. Coach Bazin now has the opportunity to lead our program in to the future."
Bazin helped guide Colorado College to 31 wins in 2004-05. The Tigers went on to capture the NCAA Midwest Regional championship and advance to the Frozen Four later that season. In 2007-08, Colorado College boasted a record of 28-12-1, claimed a WCHA regular season championship and played in the NCAA tournament.
Bazin coached two Hobey Baker Award winners, 13 All-Americans, 19 all-league selections and 12 players that went on to play in the National Hockey League. He recruited defenseman Mark Stuart, who was a first-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 2003.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a program with as rich a tradition as Hamilton's," Bazin said. "I'd like to thank President Joan Hinde Stewart, Dean of Faculty Joseph Urgo, Athletic Director Jon Hind and the rest of the Hamilton faculty for entrusting me with the future of the hockey program."
Bazin started his coaching career at the University of Massacusetts-Lowell in 1996 as an assistant under Tim Whitehead '85. Bazin helped the Riverhawks to two Hockey East postseason berths in four seasons. Whitehead, who played at Hamilton for Grady, currently enjoys a successful coaching career at the University of Maine.
"Hamilton's athletic department hit a home run with the selection of Norm Bazin as the next hockey coach," Whitehead said. "Norm is an outstanding young coach and a tremendous person, and I'm confident he will carry on the great tradition established by previous coaches."
A native of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba, Bazin played for the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before enrolling at UMass-Lowell in 1990. He played hockey at UMass-Lowell from 1990 to 1994. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1994 and also earned a master's degree in education administration from the school in 1999.
"As a Hamilton hockey alum, I am thrilled that Norm Bazin will succeed coach Grady," Milton Academy boys' hockey coach Paul Cannata '89 said. "I coached and recruited against Norm while he was at UMass-Lowell and I was at Northeastern. His teams were always well-stocked, well-prepared and highly competitive."
Norm is a seasoned and professional talent evaluator and recruiter. He has the utmost respect of those involved in hockey at all levels. He will represent Hamilton quite well in this regard and continue the tremendous program that coach Grady has built."
Bazin played professional hockey for the Birmingham Bulls of the ECHL and the Cincinnati Cyclones of the IHL in 1994-95. He and his wife Michelle are the proud parents of two sons, Blake and Coleston.
