Brendan Whittet has added Josh Ciocco to his coaching staff as an assistant coach, as first reported by Mark Divver of the Providence Journal. He held the same position at Alaska-Anchorage since the 2013-14 season.
The former University of New Hampshire captain was a four-year member of the Wildcats from 2003-2007. He played one season of minor pro hockey in the ECHL with the Fresno Falcons.
Ciocco initially declined the job offer, but finally agreed to make the move after after Whittet came calling again. With Alaska-Anchorage's program in peril, it was a tricky situation for Ciocco.
A native of Atco, New Jersey, Ciocco is a unique hire in that he knows the talent pool across the continent. He has experience on the east coast from his collegiate days and scouting for US Hockey Report. He played junior hockey in the OJHL and BCHL so he has been well traveled.
Ciocco replaces Mike Levine who left Brown to take a scouting position with the NHL’s expansion franchise in Las Vegas. He joins Jason Guerriero as the other assistant under Whittet, who is entering his eighth season as the bench boss at his alma mater.