UConn hockey adds Brendan Buckley to coaching staff

UConn head hockey coach Mike Cavanaugh announced the addition of Brendan Buckley to his coaching staff on Wednesday afternoon.

Buckley joins the Huskies' staff as an assistant coach, replacing Mike Souza who departed to become an associate head coach at his alma mater, the University of New Hampshire.

Buckley, a 1999 graduate of Boston College, played college hockey for the Eagles before embarking on a 12-year professional playing career that spanned over 550 games, mostly in the American Hockey League (AHL) and Europe.

A fifth round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 1996 NHL Draft, Buckley was one of the first big recruits at BC for Jerry York. A defenseman, Buckley helped lead the Eagles to the 1998 and 1999 Frozen Four, including a heartbreaking overtime loss to Michigan in the 1998 NCAA Final at the Fleet Center in Boston.

"We are very excited to have Brendan joining our staff," said Cavanaugh in a press release. "I had the opportunity to coach him for four years in college. Through his extensive collegiate and pro experience, he clearly has the leadership skills we are looking for to help build this program into a Hockey East champion."

This will be Buckley's first foray into college hockey coaching, but he is no stranger to the game and the kids he will be recruiting. He has served as the Vice President and Director of Recruiting for Buckley Sports Management, a sports agency owned by his brother Jerry Buckley.

Buckley has been a regular around the rinks throughout the Northeast, scouring the region for top talent to be represented by the firm. Buckley, a Needham, Mass. native, has long had a close relationship with Cavanaugh since playing for the Eagles, where Cavanaugh was an assistant.

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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.