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Jim Madigan was introduced by Northeastern Director of Athletics Peter Roby as the 10th head men's hockey coach at a press conference on Tuesday, July 26, in the lobby of Matthews Arena.

Members of the media along with family, friends and former Northeastern hockey players were in attendance to welcome the Huskies' new head coach.

“Ultimately, the decisions I make are done in the prism of student-athlete welfare, and how does this, or any other decision, support a positive student-athlete experience. Hiring someone starts with finding a quality person,” Roby said. “As this process went along and I spoke to numerous people about their interest in this position, and to others about the candidates, it became clear to me that if I believed in all the things I just mentioned, that the most appropriate person to lead Northeastern hockey was Jim Madigan.”

Madigan takes over the reins of the Huskies' hockey program as a three-time Beanpot champion (two as a player and one as an assistant coach) and brings more than 26 years of college and professional hockey experience to his new position.

“To say this is the greatest day of my professional life would be an understatement,” Madigan said. “It's very humbling to stand up here, receive that warm welcome of applause. I look out and I see so many different folks who represent so much of me here at Northeastern University. I truly am pleased that all of you have come here to share this great day with me and my family.”

Madigan has served as a scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2006, helping that franchise build a team that advanced to the Stanley Cup finals in consecutive seasons (2008 and 2009) and that captured the Stanley Cup in 2009.

As an assistant coach with the Huskies from 1986 to 1993, Madigan recruited and coached four All-Americans and 15 All-Hockey East selections. During his time on the NU bench, the Huskies won 100 games and in 1988 captured the program's last Beanpot title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

“I am thrilled beyond belief, standing here talking to you as our next head hockey coach,” Madigan said. “It was a circuitous route, no doubt about it. It was not a direct path, the one that Jim Madigan took to be our next head coach. I'm glad that the University and administration showed the confidence in me, in my hockey knowledge and acumen, and the fact that I have leadership skills that I've demonstrated in the university development office, and quite frankly that the university bestowed the confidence in me to utilize those leadership skills. I'm forever grateful to this institution for that.”

Madigan's first contests will come against St. Francis Xavier on Sunday, Oct. 2 as a scrimmage while the Huskies open the 2011-12 regular season against Massachusetts on Friday, Oct. 7 at Matthews Arena (7 p.m.).