Canton, NY – Former Clarkson Defenseman Alex Boak has been named head coach of the SUNY Canton men’s ice hockey team, Athletic Director Randy B. Sieminski announced.
Boak, who served as an assistant coach for the Roos during the 2015-16 season, has been promoted following the departure of Trevor Gilligan.
“We are thrilled to elevate Alex to head coach,” Sieminski said. “As an assistant, he made a tremendous impact on our student-athletes both on and off the ice, and we look forward to seeing the results of his tireless recruiting efforts. His experiences at the Division I level and in professional hockey will serve him well as he transitions to his new position.”
Boak, who is from nearby Norwood, served as an assistant with the Roos last season as they played a highly competitive 18 game SUNYAC schedule featuring 13 games decided by a goal or less, nine of which went to overtime.
“I am grateful that SUNY Canton is giving me this great opportunity,” Boak said. “I am looking forward to building on the great foundation that Coach Gilligan has built over the past three years. I have had some great coaches in my career and now I get to use those experiences to define my own coaching style. I can’t wait to get started this fall.”
Boak, a four-year standout defenseman for the Golden Knights, appeared in 148 collegiate contests. He finished his career with 31 points on seven goals and 24 assists. A tenacious enforcer that frustrated opposing forwards, Boak led Clarkson in penalties during all four seasons. He was a standout not only on the ice but in the classroom as he was named to the ECAC All-Academic Team three times.
Following his four year career with the Golden Knights, Boak went on to play professionally in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. He played in 31 contests tallying seven points on a goal and six assists, while adding 80 penalty minutes.
“I think my coaching style will be somewhat like the way I played on the ice,” Boak said. “SUNY Canton will be a very hard working, relentless team that likes to take time and space away using our speed up front and size on the back end.”
Boak has also served as a counselor and coach at numerous camps, most recently at Can-Am last July. He was responsible for constructing and executing practice plans, conducting off-ice practices and evaluating players. He also served as a counselor at Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam.
Boak will conduct a hockey school for squirts and peewee players from July 25-29 at SUNY Canton. Anyone seeking additional information should contact him at [email protected].
Boak graduated from Clarkson University in May 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Information and Analysis.
