Mannino named interim head coach

Following the firing of long-time head hockey coach Enrico Blasi, former associate head coach Peter Mannino has been named interim head coach until further notice, Miami Athletics announced this morning.

"I came here to help Miami and the players and their families, present and future, whatever the message might be," Mannino said last week, following Miami's announcement about Blasi.

Mannino joined Miami's coaching staff in April last year, prior to the start of the 2018-19 season, and his energy has been apparent on and off the ice.

On the ice, the former collegiate goaltender helped the RedHawks' junior goaltender Ryan Larkin become National Goaltender of the Month in October, posting an 0.83 goals against average and a .966 save percentage through six starts.

First-year defenseman Derek Daschke, one of Mannino's early recruits, finished this season with 22 (6g,16a) points -- the best for a Miami defenseman since 2008-09.

Off the ice, Mannino has been a key part of four signees for the 2019-20 season -- forward Chase Brand from the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League (USHL), forward Brett Murray from the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, defenseman Jack Clement from the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL, defenseman Alec Capstick from the Langley Rivermen of the British Columbia Hockey League and Matt Barry a sophomore transfer from Holy Cross who will be eligible to play in the second half of the 2019-20 season.

A national search for the RedHawks' head hockey coach is still underway.

This article has been updated to include information about sophomore transfer, Matt Barry at 12:06 a.m. on Thursday, March 28.

simansec@miamioh.edu

@emilysimanskis