Michigan natives Hogan, Looney named U.S. head coaches for World University Games

hogan-looney
Photos from USAHockey.com

 

By @MichaelCaples –

When Team USA begins play in the 2017 Winter World University Games in Kazakhstan, both the men’s and the women’s teams will be led by Michigan natives.

White Lake native Sean Hogan will be the head coach of the U.S. Men’s National University Team, while Brownstown native Shelley Looney will be the head coach of the women’s team.

Hogan, currently the head coach of the men’s hockey team at Ohio University, will be behind the bench for Team USA’s World University Games for the third time and first as head coach. He served as an assistant coach for the U.S. squads at the 2013 and 2015 Games.

He will be joined by assistant coaches Nick Fabbrini and Rick Zombo.

“We are extremely pleased to have Sean Hogan leading our squad into the 2017 Winter World University Games,” said Ashley Bevan, team leader of the U.S. Men’s National University Team and USA Hockey’s senior director of adult hockey. “Also, having a former NHL player in Rick Zombo, along with Nick Fabbrini’s ACHA experience, makes for a great coaching staff that will serve our team very well.”

Looney currently serves as hockey director for the Buffalo Bison and she spent the 2015-16 season as the head coach of the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL. A two-time member of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, she was an assistant coach at the 2015 Winter World University Games.

Assistant coaches Brett Berger and Scott Hicks will be joining her in Kazakhstan.

“Shelly brings an invaluable amount of knowledge and passion to our coaching staff,” said Katie Holmgren, team leader of the U.S. Women’s National University Team and USA Hockey’s manager of adult hockey. “We’re excited to have this entire group leading our team into Kazakhstan in January.”

Both the men’s and the women’s teams at the international tournament will be comprised of American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) players. The 2017 edition of the Winter World University Games will take place from Jan. 28 through Feb. 8.