Rocky Romanella, a recent graduate of the University of Delaware, was been named the Saint Michael's College men's ice hockey program’s top assistant coach on August 31, 2010. Romanella will assist head coach Chris Davidson with all facets of the NCAA Division II program.
“I am excited to start my collegiate coaching career at Saint Michael’s, and I’m looking forward to working with and learning from Coach Davidson,” said Romanella. “Saint Michael’s has a great reputation, both on the ice and off, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
“I am pleased to have Rocky join the Saint Michael’s men’s ice hockey program,” said Davidson. “As a student-athlete he had success through hard work and determination, and this relentless work ethic and hockey experience will be tremendous in helping our players develop.”
Romanella comes to Saint Michael’s after a successful four-year collegiate playing career. He spent the past two seasons at Delaware, where he graduated in May with bachelor of arts degrees in education and public policy. While at Delaware, Romanella played for the Blue Hens’ ice hockey team, Division I members of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). Romanella was named the team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior in 2009-10, as he tallied 11 goals and 12 assists in leading the Blue Hens to a 24-8-1 regular-season record and a second-place finish in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League (ESCHL). In two years at Delaware, Romanella played in 68 games, and compiled 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points, and also accumulated 117 penalty minutes.
Romanella transferred to Delaware after playing for two seasons at Lebanon Valley College, a member of the ECAC West conference and based in Annville, Pa. Romanella played in 42 games for the Flying Dutchmen, and notched 76 penalty minutes.
Prior to college, Romanella had a successful three-year tenure at The Gunnery School in Washington, Conn., from 2003-06. A native of Allentown, N.J., Romanella has experience as a summer counselor at the CAN/AM Youth Hockey Camp and the Ocean Hockey Academy.