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Brian Durocher enters his third year as head coach for the Boston University women's ice hockey team and has the fledgling program headed for an exciting future. Durocher, who was named the first head coach for the women's varsity program on June 3, 2004, has in short time established the Terriers as a program on the rise, primed for long-term success. Durocher has instilled in his players a healthy dose of confidence, and the program has already exceeded expectations. In 2005-06, BU was picked to finish last in the Hockey East preseason poll and the Terriers ended up in sixth place, compiling an overall record of 12-17-4 and six conference victories. Durocher and his team picked up their first win on Oct. 14, 2005, beating Union College 4-1. Just over a week later, BU would record its first Hockey East and road win, a 4-1 victory over Vermont in Burlington. Walter Brown Arena, where Durocher enjoyed great success as a player in the 1970's, continued to provide a home ice advantage as BU went 9-5-2 at home. At no time was that more evident than on On Oct. 18, when the Terriers erased a three-goal deficit to tie arch-rival Boston College, 3-3. In 2006, the Terriers played their first Beanpot tournament as a varsity program, after participating at the club level since 1979. With Durocher at the helm, BU picked up its first Beanpot victory since 1988, upending Northeastern, 3-1, in the consolation game. By the end of the season, Durocher had established the Terriers as a hard-working, scrappy team that no opponent wanted to face. Durocher now hopes to build upon the foundation put in place by adding the pieces he feels will allow the team to improve each season, with the ultimate goal to compete year in and year out on the national stage. Judging by all of the young talent in the program, Durocher has already established BU as a destination for top talent from across the nation. Durocher previously served as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator of the BU men's ice hockey team from 1996-2004, helping the Terriers to five NCAA Tournaments. While a student at BU, Durocher was a four-year letterman as a goalie and co-captain of the Terriers' 1977-78 NCAA Division I national championship team. Durocher first served as a full-time assistant on BU men's ice hockey Head Coach Jack Parker's staff from 1980-85. Previously, he began his coaching career immediately after graduation when he was named an assistant coach at American International College in Springfield, Mass. He was there from 1978-80 when he left to return to BU. In 1985, he left the Terriers to join the staff of the late Terry Slater at Colgate University. In addition to his on-ice responsibilities, he was also the Red Raiders' primary recruiter, and was responsible for attracting the players who backboned the 1990 team that won the Eastern College Athletic Conference title and advanced to the NCAA title game. In the semifinals of the tournament, Colgate defeated BU, 3-2. In December 1991, after the untimely death of Slater, Durocher was named Colgate's interim head coach, a position he retained through the conclusion of the 1992 season. Later that fall, he was named assistant coach at Brown University, a position he held until he returned to BU in 1996. A native of Longmeadow, Mass., Durocher compiled an impressive 47-13-1 career record minding the goal for the Terriers. His most successful year was his freshman season during which he compiled a 17-2-1 record with a 3.61 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage. He won the Eberly Trophy as the outstanding goalie in the Beanpot and was an All-East selection. His senior year, as the Terriers finished with a 30-2 record and won the NCAA title, he posted a 14-2-0 record, along with a 3.99 GAA and .871 save percentage. Durocher and his wife, Laura, live in Brookline, Mass., and have three daughters, Kirsten, Kara and Kelsey. |
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