Moore named SMU men’s hockey coach
By Donny Nadeau | Saint Mary’s Sports Information

Prior to the start of the 1989-90 season, Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey coach Don Olson was granted a one-year sabbatical from his coaching duties, allowing him time to focus all of his efforts on his athletic director duties.

Then-assistant coach Bill Moore stepped in during Olson’s absence, guiding the team to a 15-10-1 record.
Nineteen years later, Olson has once again relinquished the reigns of the men’s hockey program, this time stepping down to become the athletic director at the College of St. Scholastica.

And once again, Bill Moore has stepped in to take Olson’s place — this time, on a more permanent basis.

Monday, Moore was named the SMU men’s hockey team’s 13th head coach, taking over a program that went 9-14-2 a year ago, and trying to fill the shoes of his former coach and long-time mentor.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to come back and coach at Saint Mary’s,” said Moore. “When I left after the 1989-90 season to teach and coach at the high school level, it was always my dream to return to Saint Mary’s.”

A 1985 graduate of Saint Mary’s, where he was both a standout soccer and hockey player, Moore has coached at both the collegiate and high school levels. He spent three seasons at Saint Mary’s from 1987-1990, while also serving as the head coach at Tartan, South St. Paul and Woodbury High Schools.

“Bill brings a wealth of hockey knowledge, experience, and connection to Saint Mary’s University,” SMU athletic director Nikki Fennern said. “His intense passion for the university and Cardinal hockey will continue to enhance the tradition of the program. Bill will be a tremendous asset to the entire university with his vast experiences and successes.”

Moore is a three-time section coach of the year, who also earned the Minnesota State High School Coach of the Year honor in 2004, and the Dave Peterson Award for long-term service to high school and youth hockey in 2007

“A lot has changed since I coached here last, but one thing has always remained constant, and that’s the rich hockey tradition that Saint Mary’s has,” Moore said. “I look forward to continuing to build on that tradition, and can’t wait to get started.

“My biggest challenge is going to be gaining the respect of the college hockey world the way Coach Olson did,” Moore added. “Don was probably the most influential person in my hockey life. As my coach, and as an assistant under him, I learned so much. He really helped me to think the game at a higher level.

“I feel privileged to take over the program from him.”

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