Rand Pecknold

In Rand Pecknold's previous 12 seasons as head coach at Quinnipiac, he has accumulated the most wins of any coach in program history and is a two-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the top Division I college hockey coach. Pecknold has guided Quinnipiac to two MAAC regular season titles, one Atlantic Hockey regular season title, one MAAC tournament title and the first-ever NCAA berth in program history in 2002.

AHCA: What has the $52 million TD Banknorth Sports Center done for the Quinnipiac hockey program (recruiting/culture/etc.)?

Pecknold: The TD Banknorth Sports Center has already made an impact on our recruiting as our Sophomore and Freshmen class knew the facility was coming. We’ve sold out our first three home games and the Quinnipiac students have created an atmosphere that is electric and will rival any building in the country. We truly feel that we have one of the best facilities for college hockey on the east coast.

AHCA: You are in your 13th season behind the bench for the Bobcats. You have seen two different logos, a few different leagues and divisions, and a few different homes. Talk a about the Quinnipiac hockey timeline and what it meant for you to be a part of the ceremonial dropping of the puck in the new building?

Pecknold: In my 13 years we’ve always been in a state of transition for the better. I feel very fortunate to have been given the resources to move first to Division I and then to the ECAC Hockey League. And now with the TD Banknorth Sports Center we’re taking another step forward at the national level.

AHCA: You have been a head coach for 13 seasons. What is you coaching philosophy and has it changed from your first few years?

Pecknold: My coaching philosophy has definitely changed over time. I was too strict in my early years and it took away from my players confidence and offensive creativity. Discipline is certainly necessary and important to be successful as a coach, but if you go to far with it your players will play only to not make mistakes. A player must play with confidence to be successful. I’ve also changed how I run practice, what types of systems to use and how I manage personnel.

AHCA: Everyone is trying to solidify spots in ECACHL down the stretch (1st round bye or home ice in the 1st round), with 5 league games left what are some of the things you will key on with your team?

Pecknold: Our key is to stay healthy. We don’t have the depth like some of the other top teams in our league do.

AHCA: The AHCA is having their coaching convention in April what are some of the things you try to take from the convention and what are some of your favorite segments and why?

Pecknold: I really enjoy the coaching segments. Whether they are on power play, penalty kill or practice drills. I also enjoy when some of the veteran Head Coaches get up to speak and answer questions on how they coach. I hope that the AHCA will continue to run these segments and hopefully add even more.

AHCA: Specialty teams are such an important part of the game. How much time do you spend a week on special teams? And how do you practice the special teams (drill or game situations)?

Pecknold: We spend a lot of time on specialty teams. Our PK is 1st and PP 3rd in the ECAC which is a main reason for our success. I switch it up as to how we practice it….full ice, half ice, drills, video etc….

AHCA: The college hockey season is long. How do you manage your team to make sure you are fresh at the right time (playoff time)?

Pecknold: We shorten practices in February and try to make sure that are players are getting treatment for injuries with the athletic trainers.

AHCA: This is your second year in the ECACHL what were some of the lessons your team learned from last season that you were able to take into this season?

Pecknold: One lesson we learned was how small the margin for error in our league is. Another is how tough it is to win on the road. And lastly, there are no easy games in the league. Top to bottom the ECAC Hockey League is an outstanding league and you need to be ready to play every night.

RAND PECKNOLD BIOGRAPHY

Hired at Quinnipiac on May 5, 1994, Pecknold served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Connecticut College, for three seasons under head coach and former NHL player, Doug Roberts.

In Pecknold's previous 12 seasons as head coach at Quinnipiac, he has accumulated the most wins of any coach in program history and is a two-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, given annually to the top Division I college hockey coach. Pecknold has guided Quinnipiac to two MAAC regular season titles, one Atlantic Hockey regular season title, one MAAC tournament title and the first-ever NCAA berth in program history in 2002.

To date, Pecknold has amassed a 222-136-32 career record. Included in that overall mark is an astounding ledger of 131-50-22 in conference play at the Division I level.

The Bobcats reached the 20-win plateau for the seventh time in eight seasons, finishing at 20-18-1. Quinnipiac also registered a first-round playoff sweep of RPI and took Colgate to three games in the quarterfinals. For his efforts, Pecknold was named ECACHL Coach of the Year by Insidecollegehockey.com.

A standout for the Camels, Pecknold led Connecticut College to the 1990 ECAC South Championship. As a senior, Pecknold set school season records for goals (17) and points (47) by a defenseman. He earned First Team All-ECAC South honors and a spot on the Division III All-England Team. Playing as a forward in his first two seasons, he led the Camels in goals as a sophomore (19) and junior (23).

Personal

An economics major, Pecknold earned his BA in 1990, and added a master's degree in education in 1993. A native of Bedford, N.H., Pecknold played scholastically at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass.

Pecknold, his wife, Nikki and son, Tate--born in May, 2005--currently live in Fairfield.