Connecticut College Men's Ice Hockey

Jim Ward recently completed his 22nd season as the head coach of the Connecticut College men’s ice hockey program in 2024-25.   Ward recently piloted the Camels to a breakthrough season in 2017-18 and was named the NESCAC Coach of the Year for his efforts. The team finished second in the NESCAC standings, which is its highest finish in program history, and swept the league’s three major awards with sophomore goalie Connor Rodericks earning NESCAC Player of the Year laurels and Paul Capozzi being tabbed the NESCAC Rookie of the Year. In addition, Rodericks became the program’s first-ever CoSIDA Academic All-American and ACHA All-American after ranking tied for fourth nationally in save percentage (.937), tied for ninth in shutouts (3) and posting an impressive 2.16 goals against average.   In 2019-20, the team returned to the NESCAC Tournament and arguably won the biggest game in program history by defeating then-No.1 Trinity, 1-0, on its home ice in front of a full house. Captain Ryan Petti signed a professional contract to play in France during the upcoming 2020-21 season, and Rodericks was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American for the second time of his career after graduating summa cum laude with five goaltending school records.   The 2014-15 squad also enjoyed a stellar campaign under Ward’s direction. The Camels completed their season with a 14-10-2 overall record, finished third in the league standings, earned the program’s first home playoff game, and advanced to the semifinal round of the NESCAC Tournament for the first time.   In 2013-14, the Camels made another great turnaround by rebounding from an 0-7 start to finish with a 9-7-2 record over the final two months of the season. Ward was voted the NESCAC Coach of the Year for the first time.   Off the ice, the program has been a leader in a variety of service endeavors. Ward and his student-athletes have been heavily engaged with Green Dot for nine years, Team IMPACT for seven years, Love Your Melon, and the Headway Foundation to name a few. Under Ward’s tutelage, the men’s ice hockey team most notably pioneered having an annual “Green Dot Game” in which it teams up with the institution’s Office of Sexual Violence Prevention and Advocacy with the goal of increasing awareness to help prevent sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on campus and in our communities. The milestone 10th Annual Green Dot Game is scheduled to take place in February 2021.   Ward has been an educator and coach for 32 years and has worked from the Prep to the NCAA Division I level. Prior to Connecticut College, he served as the lead assistant coach at Princeton University in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference for three years with an emphasis on recruiting and coaching the defense. Before joining the Princeton program, Ward spent seven years at the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts as the director of the boys hockey program, college counselor, and biology teacher.   Before his time at Northfield Mount Hermon, Ward was the lead assistant at Union College in Schenectady, New York. He played a pivotal role in the elevation of the Union program from the Division III level to Division I status which later culminated in a national championship years later. He began his coaching career at Norwich University in Vermont, spending three seasons on the Cadet staff and helping to lead the program to the NCAA Tournament.   A 1983 graduate of Canton ATC, Ward was a forestry major and a member of two NJCAA National Championship teams. He was also named an NJCAA All-American after his second season. Ward then transferred to SUNY Geneseo, where he captained the Ice Knights to their first ECAC West playoff appearance and was named to the All-SUNYAC and All-NYCHA teams. He graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1995 and received a master’s degree in athletic and physical education administration from Norwich in 1987. Ward's Year-by-Year Record Year School Record Conf. Postseason 2024-25       Conn College 9-14-2 7-10-1 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2023-24 Conn College 9-14-2 7-11-0 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2022-23 Conn College 5-19-0 2-16-0 2021-22 Conn College 6-15-3 4-12-2 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2020-21 Conn College 4-0-1 0-0-0 2019-20 Conn College 11-12-2 7-9-2 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2018-19 Conn College 7-16-1 3-14-1 2017-18 Conn College 10-11-4 9-5-4 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2016-17 Conn College 4-16-3 2-13-3 2015-16 Conn College 3-18-4 0-15-3 2014-15 Conn College 14-10-2 7-7-2 NESCAC Semifinals 2013-14 Conn College 9-14-2 8-9-1 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2012-13 Conn College 7-14-3 3-12-3 2011-12 Conn College 6-15-3 4-12-2 2010-11 Conn College 7-14-3 6-12-1 2009-10 Conn College 8-15-1 7-11-1 2008-09 Conn College 13-9-3 9-7-3 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2007-08 Conn College 9-13-3 9-8-2 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2006-07 Conn College 10-13-2 9-9-1 NESCAC Quarterfinals 2005-06 Conn College 4-19-1 3-15-1 2004-05 Conn College 7-16-1 5-13-1 2003-04 Conn College 6-17-1 2-15-1 Career (22 seasons) 168-304-46 112-235-33

Cunningham enters his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Camels mens hockey program.  Cunningham brings a wealth of hockey experience at a variety of levels since graduating from Connecticut College in 1996 with a bachelors degree in anthropology.  Kevin assists in all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the program with particular emphasis on player development, defensive systems and strategies, recruiting, alumni relations and the programs interaction with youth hockey organizations throughout Connecticut. Most recently, Cunningham served as the assistant coach of womens hockey at New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) rival Wesleyan University.  During his time on the Cardinal coaching staff Cunningham was responsible for coaching the defense, coordinating the teams use of video and assisting in the recruiting efforts, including the successful recruitment of the 2012 NESCAC Rookie of the Year. Prior to his stint at Wesleyan, Cunningham ran the New Jersey Selects hockey program for four years after serving as the Director of Coaching for the New Jersey Colonials girls hockey program for two years.  Cunningham has also has served as an assistant coach of womens hockey at The Ohio State University, Providence College and Brown University.  He began his coaching career immediately after graduating by guiding the Camel womens team for one season. Cunningham is active in USA Hockey, assisting with the player development staffs of both the New England and Rocky Mountain Districts as well as the Texas Amateur Hockey Association.  In the fall of 2013, Cunningham will also coach the Connecticut Wolf Packs 16U National team.  Cunningham resides in Middletown, Conn. with his wife Jodi and their two dogs.

Leedy, a 2015 graduate of Connecticut College enters his first season as an assistant men's hockey coach at his alma-mater. One of the best skating defenseman to have worn the Camel blue, Leedy was a key contributor in all situations on the ice. Leedy was key cog on the Camel power play where he was often matched up against opposing teams' top lines. He spent nearly his entire senior season with classmate and Erica M. Bos '92 Award Winner Marc Roper with the two combining to make up one of the best tandems in the league. Leedy accounted for three goals and 24 assists over the course of his 80 game career with the Camels.   Leedy is a leader for the College's Green Dot Program, a highly successful campus initiative that  promotes bystander intervention. He also served the campus community as a Housefellow of Harkness dormitory and was honored on the 2015 NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team.  But Leedy will be remembered most for the team accomplishments of the Class of 2015. During his junior campaign, the Camels rebounded from a 0-7 start to place seventh in the NESCAC standings, advancing to the post-season for the first time since 2009. In his senior year, Leedy and the Camels set a program record for victories in the NESCAC era (14). The Camels hosted their first NESCAC playoff game February 28 and made their inaugural appearance in the conference semifinal round by taking a 4-3 victory against Hamilton in overtime. Leedy made one of the biggest plays of the game that helped pave the way to the playoff win, when he dove to the ice to block a shot eight minutes into the extra session.