PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - It was announced today [April 24] by Providence College Athletics Director Bob Driscoll that women’s ice hockey Head Coach Bob Deraney has signed a contract extension.

“Bob Deraney is one of the most experienced women’s coaches in the country as he has been involved in college hockey for more than 30 years,” Driscoll said. “He has won more games than any women’s coach in the history of Hockey East. We have high expectations for our program. With the state-of-the-art renovations to Schneider Arena combined with a talented group of returning and incoming players, our vision is for our program to compete for Hockey East and national championships.”

After being picked to finish seventh in the 2016-17 Hockey East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Friars finished in fourth place with a 11-10-3 Hockey East regular season record and secured home ice for the Hockey East Quarterfinals.

Deraney was named the 2016-17 Hockey East Coach of the Year for the third time in his career. He also received the honor in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

Deraney reached two milestones in the 2016-17 season -- capturing his 300th career win at Providence on Jan. 29, defeating Maine 5-2. Deraney also became the winningest Hockey East coach with 156 regular season wins. He took the crown with the 4-3 overtime win at Merrimack on Feb. 12.

In 18 seasons with the Friars, Deraney has coached the Friars to four conference titles, three regular season titles, seven league championship games, 11 semifinals, 15-consecutive Hockey East post-season berths, and one NCAA tournament appearance. The Friars’ 11 semifinal appearances and 15 post-season berths are the most of any team in the conference.

“I want to sincerely thank Fr. Shanley and Bob Driscoll for their support and belief in our staff and program over the years,” Deraney said. “The increased support and resources they have directed towards our program over the last four years has allowed us to lay the foundation for a very successful future. I’m very excited about what we have been able to create, a unique opportunity where student-athletes can have the best of everything: academics, academic facilities, athletics, athletic facilities and people, all at the highest level in a wonderful community on a beautiful campus.”

In addition to guiding the Friars to team success, Deraney has also coached five Olympians, seven National Team players from three different countries, five All-Americans (who combined to earn the honor seven times), three Hockey East Rookies of the Year, one Hockey East Player of the Year, 25 Hockey East All-Stars, and 13 Hockey East All-Rookie Team Selections.

Deraney has seen success on the national stage, serving as an assistant coach for the USA Women’s National Team that captured the 2015 World Championship gold medal. Prior to that, Deraney served as an assistant coach of the USA U18 Team in 2008, that also won gold.

“It’s an honor to be the head coach of our program and be associated with so many great alumnae and supporters of one of the oldest and most successful Division I women’s college hockey programs in the country,” Deraney added. “I’m blessed every day to have the opportunity to work with an unbelievably talented staff, student-athletes, athletic department members, administration, and leadership that has made Providence College a world-class institution in every sense of the word. The future is so bright for all us, I’m so happy to be a part of the college at this amazing time.”

-Go Friars!-