Former Black Bear Ronan added to Mercyhurst staff

University of Maine alum John Ronan has been hired as the new assistant coach for the Mercyhurst hockey program, replacing Bobby Ferraris, who departed for a prep school coaching gig at Trinity-Pawling.

Ronan was the volunteer assistant coach for Union College in 2013-14 as the Dutchmen won their first national championship in program history. This past season Ronan worked with Anthony Noreen's staff in Youngstown in the USHL.

The South Boston, Mass. native played for the Black Bears from 2001-2005, compiling 25 goals and 22 assists in 132 career games played.

Ronan knows what it takes to win as both a player and assistant coach and should be a valuable asset to the Mercyhurst program. He joins Greg Gardner on Rick Gotkin's staff in Erie. The Lakers open up the 2015-16 season October 3 with a home game against ECAC Hockey foe Colgate University.

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Jeff Cox covers college, junior, high school and prep hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.