A Familiar Face Returns to the Ice
Joe Howe, a former Yale University men's hockey coach, has been appointed assistant coach at St. Cloud State University, bringing a blend of playing experience and coaching acumen to the program.
Howe spent the last five seasons at Yale, where he also served as interim head coach during the 2025‑26 season, and his career includes stints in the Central Hockey League, the East Coast Hockey League and the American Hockey League.
The hiring reunites Howe with Nick Oliver, the new head coach at St. Cloud State, a partnership that dates back to their meetings at the American Hockey Coaches Association and shares a similar coaching philosophy.
Howe, who is from Plymouth, Minnesota, will be closer to home, allowing his wife Suzie and their four‑month‑old son Hank to settle in the Twin Cities while he focuses on developing relationships with the Huskies roster.
Expressing excitement about the move, Howe said he looks forward to contributing to player development and helping the team compete at a higher level, all while enjoying the proximity to his growing family.
Coaching Philosophy and Vision
Having navigated both player and coach roles at the professional and collegiate levels, Howe emphasizes a development‑first mindset, focusing on skill refinement, mental toughness and team cohesion.
He believes that building strong relationships with each player will translate into consistent performance on the ice and a culture of accountability within the program.