After 18 years behind the bench, women’s ice hockey head coach Brian Durocher will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season. Durocher was hired in 2004 as the team transitioned to Division I and has been a cornerstone of the program ever since.
The former BU men’s ice hockey goaltender has led his squad to five Hockey East titles, two Beanpots and two NCAA championship appearances. Durocher’s current 336 total wins puts the coach at tenth-most victories in Division I women’s hockey.
The Terrier great first arrived on Comm Ave in 1974 and donned the scarlet and white for Jack Parker’s team –– he was co-captain of the 1978 national championship group. Durocher made his mark in the crease at Walter Brown Arena, the same ice on which he would eventually build a respected and prestigious women’s program.
The Longmeadow, MA native helped develop all-star players like Marie-Philip Poulin, Victoria Bach and Jesse Compher who remain examples of the program’s growth since going varsity.
Durocher’s passion, pride and dedication to the women’s ice hockey team has been second to none. He’s a character coach and person that all of us at the Boston Hockey Blog feel deeply fortunate to have worked with.
Following his retirement, Durocher will remain within the BU community as Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics. Congratulations to the head coach on an outstanding career.
A true gentleman, whose genteel manner, and personal acknowledgement of even small donors was deeply appreciated! PSD
I agree Paul! Coach Durocher was an outstanding coach and mentor to the young women who played for BU over these past few decades! And to your point, he won me over (as a small donor) by keeping in touch and communicating with me personally. It all started when I met his daughter Kirsten at a BU alumni event. Back when Poulin was playing, I took a friend and drove up to Providence to see BU play Brown on a Sunday afternoon. Kirsten not only left two tickets for me but left a bag of Terrier Womens Ice Hockey apparel for us to enjoy. Anyway, I wish Brian the very best going forward and appreciate his contributions to Boston University.