DiNicola Joins Sea Captains Staff

Sep 17, 2021

The Norwich Sea Captains are proud to announce that Nick DiNicola has joined the organization as the team’s assistant coach. DiNIcola will be a tremendous asset to the squad as they begin their inaugural season in the North American 3 Hockey League. After a decorated playing career, DiNicola transitioned to coaching with the Ridgefield Amateur Hockey Association. He was behind the bench for the Lions 16U team last season and currently coaches their squirt team. DiNicola has also gained additional coaching experience as a camp and private lesson coach.

A Native of Wolcott, CT, DiNicola played youth hockey in Connecticut before advancing to junior hockey making stops with the Hartford Jr Wolfpack, Connecticut Yankees, Portland Jr Pirates and Springfield Jr Pics. He was a four year standout at Fitchburg State University where he recorded 133 points in 104 career games for the Falcons on the strength of 37 goals and 96 assists. DiNicola was recognized as a First-Team Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) All-Conference honoree as a junior before earning a Second-Team nod as a senior. His team won the MASCAC Championship while DiNicola lead all of NCAA Division III hockey in assists with 36 helpers during his junior season. He then served as a team captain during his senior year. After his collegiate career concluded, DiNicola played professional hockey in both the Southern Professional Hockey League, where he appeared in eleven games, scoring six points for five different teams, and the Federal Prospects Hockey League where he tallied seven points in five games for the Danbury Hat Tricks.

“I am beyond excited to officially be a part of the Sea Captains coaching staff during their inaugural season! I always knew that once I was done with my playing career I would want to stay involved with the game and start coaching. To be able to do so at the junior level right away working with Coach Cunningham, was an opportunity that I could not pass up. I am looking forward helping grow the game of hockey in the beautiful City of Norwich and I hope that we can bring a championship to the city in short order,” said DiNicola about joining the coaching staff.

Head coach Kevin Cunningham added, “Nick is an energetic young coach who had a fantastic playing career that did not come without its challenges. He always rose to the occasion through hard work and dedication to doing what was necessary in order to achieve success. His perseverance and infectious enthusiasm, in addition to his knowledge of the game, are attributes that will strengthen our coaching staff and help our players enjoy, and grow from, their experiences in Norwich.”

The Sea Captains begin their Inaugural season on Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26 when they travel to Long Beach, NY to play the Sharks. Their home opener will be Saturday, October 2 when they host the Bay State Bobcats at the RoseGarden Ice Arena. Season tickets are on sale HERE and single game tickets will go on sale Monday September 27.