Bentley: Tolan Named Assistant Hockey Coach

August 19, 2003

WALTHAM, Mass.- Robert (R.J.) Tolan, a 2001 graduate of UMass.-Lowell, has been named an assistant ice hockey coach at Bentley College, Athletics Director Bob DeFelice announced.

Tolan, a Waltham native, comes to Bentley after having spent the past season splitting time as an assistant coach in the junior hockey ranks for the Boston Bulldogs and as the head hockey coach at the Dexter School in Brookline, Mass. With the Bulldogs, Tolan learned from a seasoned hockey veteran, Mike Adessa, who took RPI to a Division I hockey championship, as well as leading Holy Cross to the Division II crown.

As a player, Tolan spent four years at UMass-Lowell, a Division I program in the Hockey East Conference, playing three years under current University of Maine head coach Tim Whitehead, and a shortened senior season under Blaise McDonald. Tolan suffered a career-ending injury his senior season after taking a slap shot to the throat.

Tolan, 25, will join 26-year-old Ryan Soderquist, now in his second year as head coach, behind the Bentley bench, assisting with recruiting and game preparation.

R.J. brings solid experience having played four years at the Hockey East level, commented Soderquist. He is very eager to start coaching at the college level.

The Falcons, who advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC tournament last winter, will open the 2003-2004 campaign against Air Force in the opening round of Quinnipiac University's annual Q-Cup tournament on October 10.