A strategic hire
Michigan Technological University announced this week that Zach Richards has been appointed to the role of assistant hockey coach, effective immediately.
The program highlights his unique combination of a law degree and extensive experience in video analysis, positioning him to enhance the team’s tactical preparation.
Richards spent five years in college hockey, most recently at the University of St. Thomas where he served as an assistant coach and goaltending specialist.
Prior to that, he began his coaching journey at St. Olaf College, focusing on goaltending development at the NCAA Division III level.
His professional résumé includes a stint as video coach for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, the affiliate of the 2026 Stanley Cup‑winning Carolina Hurricanes.
Beyond the rink, Richards is a licensed attorney in Minnesota, having earned his law degree in 2022, and he has offered private goaltending instruction through platforms such as Just Goalies Inc. and Stauber’s Goalcrease.
He replaces LJ Scarpace, who transitioned to an assistant coaching position in the ECHL with Orlando, bringing continuity to the staff’s evolution.
Shaping the Huskies’ future
Richards will work closely with the team’s goaltenders, leveraging video analytics to refine technique and strategy.
His background in finance, holding a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, adds a data‑driven perspective to player development.
The university’s athletic director praised the hire, noting that Richards’ blend of legal rigor, analytical skill, and on‑ice experience aligns with the program’s ambition to compete at the highest level.