Skidmore College Athletics

Skidmore College has announced the hiring of Mike Zannella as the men's hockey assistant coach in September 2016. Zannella will assist in recruiting, video analysis, player and team development, as well as player advancement.
 
Zannella comes to Skidmore off a two-year professional playing career. Last season, he split time between the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) and the Brewster Bulldogs of the Federal Hockey League (FHL). To start his professional career, Zannella won the Commissioners Cup in the FHL with the Watertown Wolves.
 
Before reaching the professional ranks, Zannella was a three-year captain at Buffalo State College. There he graduated as part of the most successful class in Bengal hockey history. His class of 2014 won the most games of any Buffalo State class and he finished his collegiate career ranked 10th all time in points for Buffalo State, despite missing 20 games due to injury.
 
Zannella was awarded with All-SUNYAC honors, with an All-SUNYAC Second Team appearance as a junior, and was named to the All-Tournament Team as a sophomore. He graduated in the spring of 2014 with a B.S. in Business Administration.
 
"We are thrilled to add Mike to the staff," said Skidmore College men's hockey head coach Rob Hutchison. "He not only brings a wealth of playing experience and hockey knowledge to the Skidmore College Hockey program, but also a strong set of character and leadership traits. Mike was a three-time captain at Buffalo State, and played a major role in turning that program into a SUNYAC title contender. Most importantly, Mike brings an incredible work ethic and passion for the game that will continue to move this program forward."
 
Born in Lansing, Mich., Zannella moved to Ithaca, N.Y. at a young age in which he now considers to be his hometown. After attending Ithaca High School, Zannella spent two years playing for the Cornwall Colts in the Central Canadian Junior Hockey League, where he was named team captain in his first season, prior to joining Buffalo State.