Newburyport hires Dan Robinson as new women’s hockey coach | Sports

After a successful inaugural season as a standalone program last winter, Newburyport and AD Kyle Hodsdon hired Dan Robinson as the college’s new women’s hockey coach.

Robinson, 48, replaces Melissa Pacific, whose team went 7-4-2 last year.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Robinson, who works for Dialight Incorporated in a sales leadership role. “They have had a great inaugural season behind the NHS banner. Philosophically, we are going to be really dedicated to their development as players but especially as individuals.

A native of Montreal, Robinson moved from Canada to Newburyport with his wife, Tina, and their two children, Aidan and Grace, in 2014. Grace is currently a senior at Newburyport High, while Aidan is a freshman who will be trying for the boys. hockey team this winter.

Robinson played hockey up to the midget level in Montreal, where “my passion for hockey was fueled”, but enjoyed more sporting success on the rugby field – playing for almost 17 seasons at the division club level. 1 and 2.

This will be Robinson’s first coaching position at the high school level, but he has coached in the Newburyport youth leagues as well as with club development teams like the Boston Energy and the 95 Giants since arriving in the area. .

“I had the opportunity to coach a lot of girls at the youth level,” said Robinson. “This community has been so great to us and so kind to us since we’ve been here. I am fortunate to already have excellent relationships with families and many parents of daughters on the team.

“I hope we can really help make this program a success fairly quickly.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity.