GLENSIDE, Pa. – The Arcadia University Department of Athletics and Recreation has announced the hiring of Ryan Heickert as the new Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach. Heickert will begin his duties at Arcadia on Monday, April 29.

"I want to thank Athletics Director Brian Granata, Associate AD Michael Hebenstreit and the rest of the search committee for selecting me as the new head coach for the men's ice hockey program. I am grateful for their confidence in me to lead this program going forward," Heickert said. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to join the Arcadia Athletics team and work with such a talented group of coaches, athletic staff, and students."

Heickert comes to Arcadia after most recently serving as the Head Coach at Bryn Athyn College for the past three seasons. Heickert oversaw all aspects of the Lions' men's ice hockey program, including coordinating team travel, scheduling of games and practices and recruiting. While at Bryn Athyn, he also served as the Short Term Sports Program Manager and the Assistant Director of the College's Junge Pavilion. 

"Throughout our search process, Coach Heickert's strong leadership and communication qualities stood out," Granata said. "He is someone that can command a locker room and inspire student-athletes to achieve greatness. We are excited to see him mold our young program into a strong competitor within the Middle Atlantic Conference and Division III ice hockey."

Prior to his time at Bryn Athyn, Heickert served as an Assistant Coach at Neumann University for three seasons. He also served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Knights for five years. Heickert has also been a Strength Coach/Personal Trainer since 2010 at multiple fitness centers. 

"I'm excited to be a part of Arcadia's hockey program with a front row seat as this program grows and develops its own identity in the world of NCAA hockey," Heickert said. 

Heickert, an Oshawa, Ontario native played his college hockey at Neumann and was part of the Knights' 2009 National Championship team. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in Athletic Training and obtained his Masters in Sports Management from Neumann in 2010.