OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha hockey head coach Dean Blais announced today that Leigh Mendelson has been hired as an assistant coach for the upcoming season.

“Leigh has been with us for the past two seasons as a volunteer goaltending coach, and he earned the opportunity to join the staff full time,” said Blais.  “He's got experience coaching and recruiting at almost every level of hockey, and he has worked alongside me on the bench as well.  He's a great asset for our program.”

“Leigh's experience makes him a very good fit for our staff, particularly his knowledge of the United States Hockey League where we recruit very heavily,” said Mike Kemp, associate athletic director.  “He also brings continuity, having been a volunteer for the last two seasons.  He's familiar with Dean and our players, and he is well versed in Maverick hockey.”

In two years working with UNO's goaltenders, Mendelson helped Ryan Massa set a school record for goals against average and save percentage in a season as well as earn All-NCHC Second Team recognition in 2014-15.  Last season, freshman Evan Weninger was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team after leading UNO in wins, goals against average and save percentage.

“To work with Coach Blais, the players and staff is an opportunity for me to work with the best,” said Mendelson.  “I am very appreciative of this chance after coming in as a volunteer to complete my undergraduate degree two seasons ago.  My interactions with faculty, athletic department staff and our fans for the past two seasons gives me the confidence and pride to recruit student-athletes to UNO, knowing they will be well taken care of.”
 
Mendelson brings extensive amateur and professional coaching experience to bear for the Mavericks.  As an assistant coach with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, he was a member of Clark Cup Championship teams in 2001 and 2008 while working for former UNO associate head coach and current Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings.  He held similar positions in the USHL for Green Bay, Sioux City and Waterloo, in the North American Hockey League with Marquette and in the Western Hockey League with Spokane.  He also was the goaltender coach for the U.S. National Team Development Program during the 2002-03 season.

Mendelson's professional hockey experience is equally vast.  Most recently, he was the head coach and senior director of hockey for HC Eppan in Italy for the 2013-14 season, one of two European stops.  He also was an assistant coach for Pelicans Lahti in the Finnish Elite League during the 2003-04 season.  In North America, he was an assistant coach and later elevated to the role of head coach for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League and also held the position of assistant coach with Atlantic City and Utah in the ECHL.

Mendelson, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., graduated from UNO with a degree in history in 2015.