1990's Brockport hockey great David Insalaco -- he of the 47 goals
and 109 points in his career and a senior campaign that sported an
incredible 16-20-36 line -- has been promoted at RIT...
Rochester Institute of Technology men's ice hockey head coach
Wayne Wilson announced that
Dave Insalaco was promoted to Associate Head Coach.
Insalaco enters his 19th season as a coach and 13th year with the program in 2020-21.
"Dave's hard work has not gone unnoticed and this title represents his loyalty to the program," said RIT Head Coach
Wayne Wilson.
"Dave's knowledge of the game has been instrumental through the years,
helping RIT reach the Frozen Four during three NCAA Tournament
appearances, while winning three Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA)
Championships and four regular season titles."
Insalaco's duties include overseeing the Tiger defenseman and penalty killing efforts. He most recently mentored
Adam Brubacher (Elmira, Ontario/Powell River Kings),
who graduated in May a two-time AHA All-Star and was one of only six
defenseman in the nation over the last four years to eclipse the
100-point plateau.
Continued Wilson, "Dave's work with our defenseman
over the years has led to numerous all league selections, highlighted by
current Vancover Canucks assistant Captain Chris Tanev, who was named
Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year and an All-Tournament Team member
during our 2010 Frozen Four run. He has a great hockey mind and, with
his work ethic, will be a great head coach at some point down the road."
"I am truly appreciative of the opportunity provided to me by
Wayne Wilson, (Executive Athletic Director)
Lou Spiotti
and (Senior VP for Student Affairs) Dr. Sandy Johnson," Insalaco said.
"As a kid growing up in Rochester who attended his first hockey school
at RIT, it has been a dream come true to coach here.
It
has been a remarkable 12 seasons and I am proud of what our staff has
built in such a short period of time. I am excited for the start of the
season and I look forward to helping facilitate our program's continued
success."
In 2009, 2011, and 2012, Insalaco coached at the
USA Hockey Select Under-17 and Under-16 Development camps in Rochester
with several of the nation's top collegiate coaches and was tapped to
coach in the 2011 Select 17 All-Star game. Insalaco also served as a
guest coach for the Washington Capitals prospect development camps prior
to their Stanley Cup in 2018.
Insalaco's arrival at RIT coincided with one of the
winningest stretches in program history. The 2008-09 season saw the
Tigers finish with a 23-13-2 record to clinch the second seed for the
AHA Tournament. The following year, the Tigers won their first AHA
Championship and made its Cinderella run to the Frozen Four to finish
with a program-record 28-12-1 mark.
Insalaco came to RIT after spending two seasons
(2005-07) with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey
League, including half a season as head coach and general manager.
During his tenure with the Gamblers, he coached several players who went
on to standout RIT careers, including Cameron Burt, Taylor McReynolds,
Sean Murphy and Chris Saracino. He also coached defenseman Derrick
LaPoint, who was a 2006 draftee of the Florida Panthers.
Insalaco spent the previous three seasons as
assistant coach at SUNY Geneseo (2003-05), including two under current
RIT Associate Head Coach
Brian Hills.
Insalaco helped guide the Knights to a 51-23-11 record, including
back-to-back State University of New York Athletic Conference
Championships and NCAA Division III Tournament berths in 2005 and 2006.
Insalaco's first coaching stint came as a volunteer assistant at his
alma mater, SUNY Brockport, during the 2002-03 campaign.
Graduating with an education degree in 2000,
Insalaco closed his career tied for seventh in Golden Eagle history with
47 goals and 10th with 109 points. The standout left winger punctuated
his career with All-SUNYAC Second Team honors while also winning Chase
Memorial Academic Athletic Scholarship recognition.
Insalaco played two years of professional hockey
for the Adirondack IceHawks of the United Hockey League from 2000-02,
recording 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 128 career appearances. He
was voted both the "Unsung Hero" and "110 Percent" Award winner by the
fans following his first season as the IceHawks won the Northeast
Division title.
Insalaco also completed a master's degree in
education from Brockport. The Greece, N.Y. native currently lives in
Fairport, N.Y. with his wife, Erika, and children, David and Clare.
Insalaco's sister, Kim, was a member of the 2006
United States Women's Olympic Hockey Team which earned a bronze medal in
Turin, Italy.
