SUNY - Oswego Men's Ice Hockey

Whitelaw was named Interim Head Coach of the Oswego State men’s ice hockey program for the 2026–27 season following 10 years on the Lakers’ coaching staff under legendary head coach Ed Gosek. During that time, Whitelaw became an integral part of the program’s success and day-to-day operations, playing a significant role in recruiting, player development, game preparation, practice planning, and the overall growth of the student-athlete experience. His decade-long tenure at Oswego has provided Whitelaw with a deep understanding of the program’s history, expectations, alumni network, and commitment to excellence, while positioning him to lead the Lakers into the next chapter of Oswego State hockey.   Before returning to Oswego, Whitelaw broadened his coaching background with a season at SUNY Cortland as a graduate assistant coach. He also returned to his roots in Huntsville, Ontario, working with the Huntsville Otters, his former junior club, to mentor young players at the junior level. His diverse coaching experiences have allowed him to develop a strong foundation in skill development, systems play, and team culture, which he now brings to the Lakers’ program. As a player, Whitelaw enjoyed an accomplished career both at Oswego and abroad. Following graduation, he spent the 2013–14 season competing professionally in France’s Ligue Magnus with the Morzine-Avoriaz Penguins. At Oswego, he was a four-year standout (2009–13) and key contributor during one of the most successful eras in program history. He appeared in four NCAA Division III Frozen Fours, including two national championship games, while helping the Lakers capture SUNYAC titles in 2010 and 2013. Individually, Whitelaw’s career was decorated with numerous accolades. As a freshman in 2009–10, he was named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year. He went on to serve as an assistant captain in 2011–12, when he was recognized as an East Region Second-Team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association, a First-Team All-SUNYAC selection, and the SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In his senior season, Whitelaw captained the Lakers and earned both the 2013 Oswego State Male Student-Athlete of the Year and the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. Statistically, Whitelaw ranks among the program’s all-time scoring leaders. In 110 career games, he recorded 53 goals and 86 assists for 139 points, placing him tied for 28th in the Lakers’ history books. An Oswego alum, Whitelaw earned a Bachelor of Science in Adolescence Education (2013) and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (2018). Whitelaw and his wife Brittany are proud parents to their son Gio.  

Gosek again helped Oswego gain a spot in the SUNYAC Championship title game, its third trip to the final in a row, ending the regular season with a 12-2-2 mark against conference foes. His tutelage also aided Shawn Hulshof and Bobby Gertsakis to AHCA All-America accolades, with Hulshof also being named the SUNYAC's Player of the Year. Along with Hulshof, four other Lakers earned All-Conference honors.  In the 2013-14 season, Gosek directed Oswego State to an overall record of 22-7-2. Despite losing 14 seniors from the previous national runner-up squad, Goseks recruitment of 19 freshman and five transfers along with the core of returners kept the pace of the winning tradition. Oswego captured its second-straight SUNYAC Championship and made its fifth-consecutive appearance in the Frozen Four of the NCAA Division III Mens Ice Hockey Championship.   During his tenure, Gosek has had 41 players receive 53 All-SUNYAC honors and 15 players named as All-Americans.   In 2012-13, Paul Rodrigues was named the 2013 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Sid Watson Memorial Award winner, which is symbolic of the nation's best Division III men's hockey player. He was the first player in SUNYAC history to win the award.    A two-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year, Gosek has led Oswego State to the top of the SUNYAC standings in eight of the last 11 regular seasons. Gosek reached the 200-win plateau in his 270th game behind the bench as a head coach during the regular season in 2012-13. Gosek holds the distinction as being the only coach in Oswego State history to guide a team to an NCAA Division III championship, capturing the men's ice hockey title in 2007 with a 23-3-3 overall record. That same season, Gosek was also honored with the Edward Jeremiah Award by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) as the Men's Division III Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. Gosek joined the coaching staff in 1990 and worked under both Don Unger and George Roll, before becoming the fifth head coach in program history. During his time with the program, each team Gosek has qualified for post-season play, eight of which advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Known as a strong recruiter, Gosek looks to continue to bring in quality student-athletes while maintaining the rich hockey tradition at Oswego State. His teams have been active in the community and have participated in campus leadership activities as the Lakers moved into the Campus Center in 2006. His commitment and dedication to the program have been instrumental in the Lakers consistently being considered among the elite teams in the nation. Prior to his appointment as head coach in 2003, Gosek focused on developing the team's defense along with special teams. Gosek has been involved with the Oswego Minor Hockey Association for many years and won four New York State titles in his time as a head coach at that level. His efforts resulted in him being given the NYSAHA Peter Rush Award in 2008 for displaying a selfless long-term dedication and commitment to the growth of youth hockey. Gosek was also the recipient of the Walter Yaciuk Award in 2009, presented annually by USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program to the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the program during many years of volunteer service. He is also an active participant in USA Hockey's select summer festivals and has coached at those events in St. Cloud, Minn. and Rochester, N.Y. Gosek earned his undergraduate degree in 1983 and his master's degree in Science and Education in 2001, both from Oswego State. He and his wife, Mary, make their home in Oswego with their children, Jeremy and Sarah  

Digby worked directly with Golden Eagle defensive and power-play units that saw statistical improvements and developed in-season and summer strength and conditioning programs.  The G. Ray Bodley High School (Fulton, N.Y.) graduate aided the development of practice plans through the analysis of game and practice video footage.  He created successful marketing strategies to attract fans to Brockport ice hockey games.  Digby has also served as the advertising coordinator for the Brockport Athletic Department since 2008.  During the off-season, Digby has worked as an instructor at the Hamilton College Hockey School for three summers and the Maksymum Hockey School in Rochester for five summers. In 2012, he worked as an instructor at the USA Hockey NY State Under-14 development camp. Digby received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from The College at Brockport in May 2005 and earned his Master of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies four years later.