Metcalf named new Hockey East commish

Hockey East has named University of New Hampshire Deputy Director of Athletics Steve Metcalf to be its next commissioner.

Metcalf will succeed Joe Bertagna, whose contract ends following this season. It was announced last year that Hockey East was not renewing Bertagna’s contract.

Metcalf, originally from England, is in his 23rd year at UNH, having served the athletic department in a number of roles, including overseeing internal operations.

“Simply put, Steve is a connector whose knowledge of hockey and our league is outstanding,” Drew Marrochello, current chair of the Hockey East men’s executive committee and director of athletics at Boston University, said in a news release. “He has made strong impressions in several different circles during his time at UNH, and it was a true consensus decision to bring him on as our next commissioner.”

In the deputy role, Metcalf oversaw all internal operations within the UNH athletic department as well as both ice hockey programs. He assisted with daily administration of all 20 of the Wildcats’ intercollegiate programs, including hiring of coaches, personnel management, budgeting priorities, fundraising initiatives, and monitoring of gender equity and diversity within the department.

“I would like to thank the search committee for giving me this incredible opportunity to lead such a prestigious conference,” said Metcalf. “I couldn’t be more excited to get started and build on relationships throughout the great institutions that make up Hockey East.”