University of Maine men’s hockey coach Dennis “Red” Gendron announced on Tuesday that Jay Leach, who served as an assistant under former men’s hockey coach Shawn Walsh, was hired as associate head coach.

“His knowledge, passion, and teaching ability are beyond exceptional,” Gendron said. “His recruiting and coaching excellence was instrumental in Maine’s rise to national prominence working with coach Walsh. He knows Maine Hockey, he loves Maine Hockey, and he doesn’t accept anything less than the best from himself, from his peers, and from the players he coaches”

Leach’s coaching experience following his first stint at UMaine includes coaching the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears in 1993 for three seasons and serving as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Thrashers from 1999 to 2001, the New Jersey Devils from 2001 to 2003 and the Washington Capitals from 2003 to 2010.

“I know how important Maine Hockey is to the state,” Leach said. “The University of Maine is a very special place to go to school and also to play hockey. Maine has been very fortunate to land Coach Gendron. I have known Dennis (Gendron) for over 30 years. His passion and knowledge of the game is extensive and I would not have accepted a job like this under any other college coach. Red and I simply speak the same language and understand the task involved.”