New head coach for PHS hockey

PALMER — For the last six seasons, Brad Hanson helped transform the Palmer High hockey team from a struggling squad to conference champion.

Now, Hanson has decided to step away from his position as head coach and allow someone else to take the reins of Palmer Moose hockey. Late last week, Palmer High activities director Jeff Thiede announced Eric Troisi, a former head coach at both Colony and Wasilla, has accepted the position and is the new head coach of the Palmer High hockey program.

“It was time,” said Hanson, who will remain with the program as an assistant.

Hanson said his assistant coaches — Steve MacSwain and Tim Popowski — and PHS hockey athletic trainer Kay Omer also will continue with the program.

“Basically, there’s going to be a new sheriff,” Hanson said. “Everybody’s staying. There will be some different duties, responsibilities.”

Troisi, who spent more than 12 combined years as the head coach of the Colony and Wasilla hockey programs, said he’s not only excited about his new position, but also the chance to work with Hanson and his new Palmer staff.

“I’m really excited. It’s a really good group of guys,” Troisi said. “It’s a good group of parents, good group of kids.”

Troisi has had the chance to get to know a number of the Palmer High players, serving as a coach during clinics regularly at the MTA Events Center, Palmer’s home ice.

Palmer won back-to-back North Star Conference titles in 2011 and 2012. After losing the bulk of its talent following the 2011-12 season, Palmer fielded a team made up predominately by underclassmen. The young Moose team highlighted its season with an upset of third-seeded Colony in the first round of the conference championships.

Hanson said the program is expecting another solid freshmen class next season. With the continued influx of young talent, Hanson said the goal is to continue to build a junior varsity squad, and he’d like to be a part of that. Palmer has not always had the numbers to field a J.V. team.

Overall, Hanson said he’s enjoyed his time as head coach and looks forward to continuing to help the program in the future.

“I’ve enjoyed it. Obviously, when doing this, there are ups and downs. But for the most part, it’s been a good experience,” Hanson said. “Over the course of six years, hopefully we’ve changed the culture for Palmer High School hockey.”

Hanson said he’s also excited to welcome Troisi to the program.

“He has a ton of experience, a ton of hockey knowledge,” Hanson said. “He’s excited about being here a few years. It’s a win-win.”

Troisi, a former college hockey player at UAA and coach for nearly three decades, has spent time working as a referee for the past two seasons.

“That was fun. It gave me a different perspective,” Troisi said. “It was actually really good.”

It’s been about six years since Troisi left his position as head coach at Wasilla High. After spending time away from coaching high school hockey, Troisi said he’s felt ready to get back involved. His three children also are attending college, so he has more time to devote to coaching.

“Hockey has been so good to me. I’ve always thought it was a great sport, a great Alaska sport. I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to get back into coaching,” Troisi said. “A good opportunity to see if I can help out over in Palmer.”

Troisi credited his predecessor for the work Hanson and his staff put in to the program during the last six years.

“Brad has done such a good job. People don’t realize how much time and effort he puts it,” Troisi said. “I really respect him. He loves Palmer, and he’ll do anything to help the kids over there. With football and hockey, a lot of people don’t know everything behind the scenes that he does.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.