Women’s hockey announces three new staff increases

Women ‘s hockey 9/15/2021 4:35:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY RIT Bruce B.Bates Women’s Hockey Coach Celeste Brown ’15 announced the addition of three new members to its staff. Josh Graser was named assistant coach, while Shane Madolora ’12 was named volunteer goalkeeper coach and Matthew Wentz ’14 was awarded as head of hockey operations.

“We are very excited about the completion of our staff and feel that the player’s first mentality will improve, allowing our program to go up the stairs,” said Brown, who is starting his second season on the Tiger bench.

Graser spent last season as assistant coach at Division III Utica after two seasons at Colgate as head of hockey operations, including a 23-win season in 2018-19, during which the Raiders advanced to the semifinals of the ECAC Hockey Tournament. Graser spent the 2017-18 season as head of Vermont’s hockey operations after serving in the same role on the Canisius men’s team during the previous season. Graser’s resume also includes winning a gold medal as a video coach with the U.S. National Under-18 Team at the Women’s World Championships 2020 in Bratislava, Slovakia. He graduated from Cortland in 2015 with a degree in sports management.

“Josh has been involved in NCAA hockey from many perspectives and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program,” Brown said. “He has worked with some of the country’s top coaches in the past and has a player-first mentality. His passion for the game is contagious and the impact is immediately apparent.”

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this growth in student athletes both on and off the ice,” Graser said. “I am very proud to have become part of the culture that Coach created last year, and I look forward to building relationships with the team and staff and a season full of energy and development.”

One of the best goalkeepers in RIT men’s hockey history, Madolora recorded several personal honors over three seasons with Tigers from 2009-2012 and set a Division I era record of 1.98 goals on average, a .932 savings percentage and 13 cuts and a second place finish of 1772 control. He currently owns and operates his own player training and development company.

“Shane understands Tiger Hockey because he lived by it,” Brown said. “Once he’s played the game at a high level and taught it now, he brings an understanding of the situation that will help make our goalkeeper successful.”
Wentz previously spent as a student sports coach at RIT during his studies. In his new role, Wentz’s core responsibilities will include managing team supplies and equipment and coordinating all aspects of team operations and logistics at home and on the road.

“Matt joins our Tiger family with a deep passion for sports and a desire to make positive changes in the lives of student athletes,” Brown said. “He has a big impact on all areas of the program.”

Wentz commented, “I’m excited about the opportunity to return to the athletics family I got to work with as a student. The atmosphere at RIT Hockey is incredible, so I’m excited to continue the same atmosphere for current and future members of our program.”