NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara University hockey head coach David Burkholder has announced the hiring of Michael Findorff as assistant coach.
“Michael is a perfect fit for Niagara hockey and my new staff,” Burkholder said. “I have found him to be very knowledgeable and passionate about college coaching. He played at Miami of Ohio during one of their most successful runs, including four NCAA Tournament appearances and a Frozen Four in 2009. He comes highly regarded from former coaches that he has played and worked for including Rico Blasi (Miami-Ohio) and Gary Heenan (Utica College). I am very excited for our team to meet Mike and to get him immersed and acclimated for the upcoming season. I welcome Michael and his wife Tara to the Niagara University community. We are lucky to have them.”
Findorff brings a unique blend of coaching, playing and business experience to Monteagle Ridge. Findorff played collegiately and professionally, and has also served as a coach and general manager for a hockey academy.
Findorff spent the 2015-16 as an assistant coach at Utica College where he assisted head coach Gary Heenan with all facets of the program, including day-to-day operations, scouting, recruiting, and game and practice preparation. Findorff was involved with goalie training, power play and penalty kill strategy for the Pioneers, in addition to operations such as team travel and practice schedule.
Prior to Utica, Findorff was the general manager and coaching director for Tahoe Sports and Entertainment in South Lake Tahoe, California from 2014-15. He eventually became a co-founder, director and head coach of the Elevate Academy program for elite hockey training. His duties included leading all on and off ice practices and recruiting players to join the training program from across California and Nevada. His accomplishments included winning the 2015 Northern California High School Hockey League and placing six players in AAA hockey or into prep school programs.
Findorff was a four-year defenseman for the Miami (OH) University Redhawks from 2005-09 where he was a member of the 2009 Frozen Four Runner-Up team as a senior. While attending Miami (OH), he was on the Athletic Director Honor Roll and served on the Team Advisory Council. He also coached the Miami University Youth Hockey team from 2005-2009 and ran summer camps at Colorado College during the summers. Findorff went on to play professionally over the next two years. He was a member of the New York Islanders organization (AHL) in 2009 and then joined the Phoenix Coyotes organization (ECHL) in 2010.
“I am very excited to get to work with the Niagara hockey program,” Findorff said. “Joining this coaching staff is a tremendous honor, and I would like to thank Coach Burkholder for the opportunity. Thank you to Coach Heenan and the Utica Pioneers as well for helping me begin my coaching career this past season.”
A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Findorff graduated from Miami (OH) with a Bachelor of Arts in business-management information systems with a minor in world political history. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from Utica.
(Niagara University photo)
