Maryville University Head Coach John Hogan announced today the addition of Karlis Zirnis as Associate Coach for the University's NCAA Division I men's hockey program.
Zirnis joins Maryville following an accomplished coaching career spanning NCAA Division I, junior hockey and the international stage. His résumé includes NCAA Division I coaching stops at Mercyhurst, RPI, Alabama Huntsville and Alaska, a Robertson Cup National Championship as head coach of the Shreveport Mudbugs, and more than a decade on the Latvian National Team coaching staff, including the Winter Olympic Games, IIHF World Championships and World Junior Championships.
HOGAN’S THOUGHTS
"We're absolutely elated to welcome someone of Karlis' caliber and experience to Maryville," Hogan said. "There simply aren't many coaches who have the breadth of experience that Karlis brings at the NCAA Division I, junior and international levels. As we continue building our Division I program, adding someone with his résumé immediately brings credibility to what we're building."
"Beyond his experience, Karlis is an outstanding teacher, recruiter and mentor. He will make our coaching staff stronger, but more importantly, he'll have a tremendous impact on the development of our student-athletes both on and off the ice."
"We're not just hiring Karlis for this season—we're bringing him here because we believe he'll play a major role in where this program is headed," Hogan said. "As Maryville continues to grow, I expect Karlis' leadership and influence within our program to grow right alongside it. He's someone who shares our vision, our values and our commitment to building something different and special."
BEFORE THE SAINTS
Prior to joining Maryville, Zirnis most recently served as an assistant coach at Mercyhurst following NCAA Division I coaching stops at RPI, Alabama Huntsville and Alaska. Before returning to the collegiate ranks, he led the Shreveport Mudbugs to the 2018 Robertson Cup National Championship and was named the NAHL South Division Coach of the Year.
Internationally, Zirnis has represented Latvia as both a player and coach. Since joining the Latvian National Team coaching staff in 2012, he has coached at the Winter Olympic Games, IIHF World Championships and multiple IIHF World Junior Championships, working alongside many of the top players and coaches in the world.
As a player, the Riga, Latvia native starred at Alabama Huntsville, where he finished second in the program's modern NCAA Division I era in career points (119) and assists (73).
