(Albuquerque, NM) Friday, July 29, 2022- The New Mexico Ice Wolves® today announced Justin Cohn was named Assistant Coach of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) team starting immediately. Cohn will join Head Coach Darren Banks to lead the NM Ice Wolves NA3HL team in the team’s inaugural season in the South Division playing out of Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque, NM beginning in the upcoming 2022-23 season with the team’s first game on Friday, September 23, 2022. Cohn will also join the hockey department staff at Outpost Ice Arenas working with youth programs, camps, clinics and private lessons.
“We are excited to have Justin on board for our first ever season in the NA3HL. He brings enthusiasm and a playing background that will be very beneficial to our players and staff,” said Darren Banks, Head Coach of the NA3HL NM Ice Wolves. “His work ethic and coaching experience will greatly benefit our hockey organization and community as a whole.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Justin to our Outpost Ice Arenas staff,” said Ben Danford, Outpost Ice Arenas Director of Hockey. “His passion for the game and specific experiences are great assets for our NA3HL team, youth programs, camps, clinics and private lesson availability. We look forward to Justin making big contributions as we continue to focus on growing the ice sports community in New Mexico.”
A native of Exton, PA Cohn’s hockey background includes playing in the NA3HL (New Jersey Titans) and the National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) for the Utica Comets and Rochester Monarchs. Cohn is coming off a season with Alvernia University in the College Hockey Federation (CHF) which in 17 games Cohn scored 17 points with four goals and 13 assists.
The NA3HL NM Ice Wolves will play at the Outpost Ice Arenas where the NAHL New Mexico Ice Wolves now play and will share all facilities, including the team’s world class Hockey Speed Gym that was created by USA Hockey legend Jack Blatherwick and unique training rinks that combine to provide players on both teams, and the local youth teams, the best ice hockey training, development tools and facilities. The NA3HL is one of two USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior leagues and serves as one of the top high level developmental leagues in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in its classification. The NM Ice Wolves will bring more families into their successful host family program to be able to welcome more players to the community. For families interested in learning more about becoming a host family contact Jerry Hancock at hostfamilies@nmicewolves.com.
The New Mexico Ice Wolves NA3HL team will announce additional staff and tryout dates in the upcoming weeks, as well as season ticket and sponsorship information. You can learn more about the New Mexico Ice Wolves NA3HL team on their NA3HL Team Page or on social media on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
For team media inquiries, please contact Aaron Martinez at 505-212-8762 or amartinez@reelz.com
About NA3HL
Nearing the end of its 12th season in 2021-22, the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), one of two USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior leagues, serves as one of the top training grounds in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in its classification. No other league of its kind has had more movement and advanced more players onto play in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) than the NA3HL. Thanks to additional and enhanced initiatives that were put in place this season in cooperation with the NAHL, more players from the NA3HL play, practice, and earn NCAA Division I scholarships with the NAHL than any other league. This past season not only did 35 NA3HL players sign tenders to play in the NAHL for the 2021-22 season, but 21 more players were selected in the 2021 NAHL Draft. The NA3HL also continues to make its mark and is one of the leaders in junior hockey with the advancement of players onto the NCAA. The NA3HL had over 120+ college commitments in 2021, with almost 70% of those being NCAA commitments. In addition, over 300 former NA3HL players are currently playing in the NCAA, and 13% of NCAA Division III freshmen this season previously played in the NA3HL.