Seth Appert, the head men's ice hockey coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been chosen to serve as president of the American Hockey Coaches Association, it was announced today by AHCA Executive Director Joe Bertagna. Appert was selected by a vote of the AHCA membership at their recently concluded convention in Naples, FL. The position has a three-year term and commences immediately. He succeeds University of Denver head coach George Gwozdecky.

"We are thrilled that Seth has agreed to serve in this capacity," said Bertagna. "His self-confidence and energy will give our organization a boost as we set out to meet the demands of our many constituencies."

Appert has just concluded his second season as RPI's head coach. A 1996 graduate of Ferris State University, where he was a four-year letterwinner as a goaltender, he spent nine years as an assistant at Denver, contributing to two NCAA championships captured by the Pioneers in 2004 and 2005.

"I am honored to be chosen to help lead the AHCA," said Appert. "This association continues to emphasize and promote all that is great in college athletics and in hockey. I look forward to helping us continue to move in a positive direction during the next three years."

Founded in 1947, the AHCA has grown from approximately 250 members less than 20 years ago to just shy of 1,400 members today. In addition to attracting nearly 1,000 people to its convention each year, the AHCA works with the NCAA to shape playing rules and to assist in a number of activities during the year. The AHCA also honors the game through the selection of the RBK Hockey All-American teams, the Coach of the Year honorees at each division, and through a number of other awards.

While the membership is heavily NCAA-oriented, the AHCA ranks have grown with the addition of more than 300 non-varsity college programs and with coaches from youth, high school, and junior hockey.