THE COACHING STAFF
1966, 1986, 2007 THREE-TIME NCAA CHAMPIONS HEAD COACH DANTON COLE 2014) and one bronze medal (2016) at the International Ice Hockey Federation Men s Under-18 World Championship and three top-three finishes at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (2011, 2013, 2014), the top events in each age group. His teams also enjoyed success in numerous international tournaments, having captured U17 titles at the Four Nations (2010, 2012) and Vlad Dzurilla (2011) tournaments. While leading the U18s, the U.S. placed first on three occasions in major competitions: twice at the Four Nations (2011, 2015) and once at Five Nations (2014) tournaments. Cole s first taste of international coaching came with the U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, where he served as assistant coach. He assumed that same role in 2013 for the bronze-medal winning U.S. Men s National Team at the IIHF Men s World Championship. HOCKEY STAFF Danton Cole, an 18-year coaching veteran with international, professional and collegiate experience, was appointed head coach of the Michigan State hockey program by MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis on April 11, 2017. Cole, who was a key member of some of the most successful Spartan hockey teams in program history, came to Michigan State from USA Hockey s National Team Development Program where he mentored some of the nation s top young players on the U-17 and U-18 teams for seven seasons. Cole is the seventh head coach in MSU program history. Cole s coaching career started immediately following his playing days. After retiring from the Grand Rapids Griffins in 1999-2000, he remained with the team as an assistant before spending 2001-02 with Muskegon in the United Hockey League, guiding the team to the playoff championship. Cole followed that with a nearly three-year stint as head coach of the Griffins which included two Calder Cup Playoff appearances in 2003 and 2004. After coaching the UHL s Motor City Mechanics through 2006, he amassed a five-year pro coaching record of 222-126-17 (.632). I m really honored to have the opportunity to represent Michigan State University and Spartan hockey, said Cole. This is a position to which I ve always aspired. I wasn t sure the timing would ever work out, but I m very fortunate. My mom and dad both went to Michigan State I didn t grow up around MSU, I grew up at MSU. It has been an enormous part of my life. Once I got into coaching, it didn t take long for me to realize I wanted to get back on campus and try to accomplish what we did when I was playing for the legendary Ron Mason. As a program, we want to compete for Big Ten championships and be a part of the NCAA Tournament, because as I experienced as a player, once you get in the tournament, you re on the doorstep of a national title. We re going to identify and recruit young men that want to be Spartans and share our vision of excellence on and off the ice. Another priority will be to continue working toward a renovation of Munn Ice Arena, providing our student-athletes and fans a world-class facility and tremendous home-ice advantage. Cole s tenure with USA Hockey was one of consistent success. He guided Team USA to two gold medals (2012, 14 MSUSPARTANS.COM
THE COLE FILE... EDUCATION: Bachelor s degree in finance from Michigan State in 1989 COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Michigan State 1985-89 NCAA Champions (1986), NCAA Frozen Four (1986, 87, 89), CCHA Champions (1986, 89), CCHA Tournament Champions (1987, 89), Big Ten Medal of Honor (1989) NHL PLAYING EXPERIENCE: 1989-96 Winnipeg, Tampa Bay, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Chicago; 1995 Stanley Cup Champion with New Jersey PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: Head Coach USNTDP, 2010-2017 IIHF U-18 World Championship Gold Medal (2012, 14), Bronze Medal (2016) Head Coach Alabama-Huntsville, 2007-10 CHA Champions (2010), NCAA Tournament (2010) Assistant Coach Bowling Green, 2006-07 Head Coach Motor City Mechanics (UHL), 2005-06 Head Coach Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), 2002-05 Calder Cup Playoffs (2003, 04) Head Coach Muskegon Fury (UHL), 2001-02 Colonial Cup Champions (2002) Cole, who was the recipient of the Distinguished Spartan Award in 2013, ended his Michigan State career with 69 goals and 94 assists for 163 points. He shares the MSU career games played record of 180 with former teammate Don McSween. Cole graduated with a degree in finance in 1989 and excelled in the classroom at MSU as he was a threetime CCHA All-Academic Team honoree. He is one of nine Spartan hockey players to have received the Big Ten Medal of Honor, garnering the accolade as a senior. Cole was drafted in the sixth round, 123rd overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. After making his pro debut with the AHL s Moncton Hawks in 1989-90, Cole saw his first action in the NHL that season as well, recording a goal and an assist in two games for the Jets. Cole went on to play 11 seasons professionally. He played 318 NHL games over six seasons with Winnipeg (1989-92), Tampa Bay (1992-95), New Jersey (1995), the New York Islanders (1995-96) and Chicago (1995-96). His best season in the NHL came in 1993-94 when he put up 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points in 81 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. 2017-18 MICHIGAN STATE HOCKEY Assistant Coach Grand Rapids Griffins (IHL), 1999-2001 PERSONAL: Born Jan. 10, 1967, in Pontiac, Mich. Family: wife Debbie and three daughters; Ashton, Madeleine and Payton In 2006-07, Cole landed his first college job as an assistant at Bowling Green. After one year at BGSU, he was hired as head coach at Alabama-Huntsville where he went 23-59-12 in three seasons. He led UAH to the College Hockey America tournament title in his third season with the school in 2009-10, earning the program s second-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament, before moving on to USA Hockey in 2010. Cole s playing career at MSU began in 1985-86 as he helped further the Spartans trek to sustained national prominence under legendary coach Ron Mason. In his four years at Michigan State, the Spartans went 131-44-8 (.738), winning a NCAA National Championship (1986), making three NCAA Frozen Four appearances (1986, 1987, 1989), capturing two CCHA regular-season titles (1986, 1989) and two CCHA Tournament championships (1987, 1989). As a junior at MSU, Cole was second in team scoring with 20 goals and 56 points, and then was the third-highest scorer as a senior with 29 goals and 62 points. 15
1966, 1986, 2007 THREE-TIME NCAA CHAMPIONS He is one of 11 Spartans to have hoisted the Stanley Cup, as he helped the New Jersey Devils to the 1995 Cup. Cole played four more seasons in the IHL for the Grand Rapids Griffins before retiring with the team in 1999-2000. He represented the USA as a member of the Men s National Team on three occasions (1990, 1991, 1994) and earned outstanding player of the 1991 IIHF Men s World Championship. A native Michigander, Cole was born in Pontiac and raised in Lansing. He played youth hockey around the state and then in the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 1984-85, recording 95 points in 41 games. He graduated from Waverly High School in Lansing, where he was a two-time all-league baseball selection, playing alongside Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz. HOCKEY STAFF Cole, 50, and his wife Debbie, a Lansing native, have three daughters - Ashton, Madeleine and Payton. 16 MSUSPARTANS.COM
ASSISTANT COACH CHRIS LUONGO THE LUONGO FILE... EDUCATION: Bachelor s degree in general business from Michigan State in 1989 COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Michigan State, 1985-89 PROFESSIONAL PLAYING EXPERIENCE: 1989-2004 NHL (Detroit, New York Islanders, Ottawa), AHL, IHL, DEL (Germany) PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: Assistant Coach USNTDP, 2015-17 Head Coach Alabama-Huntsville, 2010-12 Assistant Coach Alabama-Huntsville, 2008-10 Assistant Coach Wayne State, 2006-08 Assistant Coach Motor City Mechanics (UHL), 2005-06 Chris Luongo, a former Spartan hockey captain, joined the Michigan State staff in May 2017 after having spent the last two seasons serving alongside Danton Cole as an assistant coach with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Luongo worked primarily with the NTDP s defensemen while contributing tactically in all areas, including special teams. For so many people, Spartan hockey holds a place in their hearts that is very special, including me, Luongo said upon returning to MSU. It s an honor and a privilege to have an opportunity to have a direct impact on the Green and White as a member of the Spartan hockey staff. Prior to joining USA Hockey, Luongo spent four seasons at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Luongo served as an assistant under Cole from 2008-10, and then took over as head coach for two seasons, from 2010-12, when Cole departed for USA Hockey. During his MSU career, Luongo compiled 69 points in 157 games for the Spartans and served as an alternate captain during his junior season before being elected captain as a senior. He was a second-team All-CCHA selection as a senior and was voted the winner of MSU s Outstanding Defensive Player award in each of his final two seasons. Luongo was a part of three U.S. Men s National Teams at the IIHF World Championship (1996, 1998, 2000), helping the USA earn the bronze medal in 1996. He also received USA Hockey s Bob Johnson Award, recognizing excellence in international hockey competition during the 1996 season. Luongo earned his bachelor s degree in general business from MSU in 1990. His family includes his wife, Cheryl, and sons, Anthony and Christopher. 2017-18 MICHIGAN STATE HOCKEY Luongo, a native of Fraser, got his first job in college hockey at Wayne State University, where he was an assistant coach under Bill Wilkinson for two seasons, from 2006-08. Luongo s first job in coaching was with the Motor City Mechanics of the UHL (2005-06). Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Luongo enjoyed a 15-year professional career that included appearing in a combined 218 NHL games for the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators. Along with spending time in the AHL and IHL, Luongo played his final seven seasons in Germany. Luongo s career at Michigan State was highlighted by an NCAA title his freshman season (1986) and then two more Frozen Four appearances (1987, 1989). The Spartans also captured two CCHA regular-season titles (1986, 1989) and two CCHA Tournament championships (1987, 1989) as part of winning over 130 games during Luongo s four years in East Lansing. 17
1966, 1986, 2007 THREE-TIME NCAA CHAMPIONS ASSISTANT COACH JOE EXTER THE EXTER FILE... EDUCATION: Bachelor s degree in political science from Merrimack in 2003 COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Merrimack, 2000-03 PROFESSIONAL PLAYING EXPERIENCE: 2003-05 ECHL PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: Assistant Coach Ohio State, 2011-17 Assistant Coach USNTDP, 2007-11 Assistant Coach Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL), 2006-07 Assistant Coach American International College, 2005-06 HOCKEY STAFF Joe Exter joined the Michigan State coaching staff in May 2017 after spending the last six seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State. During his time at OSU, Exter helped the Buckeyes reach the NCAA Tournament in 2017 and mentored two All-Americans in Ryan Dzingel (2014) and Brady Hjelle (2013). Prior to Ohio State, Exter served as an assistant coach with the USNTDP from 2007-11. I consider it a privilege to be a part of the Spartan hockey family, Exter said upon arriving in East Lansing. Michigan State has a long, storied hockey tradition and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it. Exter was on the coaching staff of the U.S. Men s National Under-18 Team for four IIHF World Men s Under-18 Championships, helping Team USA to a bronze medal in 2008, before capturing three consecutive gold medals from 2009-11. A native of Cranston, Rhode Island, Exter got his first college hockey coaching opportunity in 2005-06, serving as an assistant coach at American International College. Exter began his coaching career as an assistant at Cushing Academy, his alma mater. Exter was a 2003 second-team All-Hockey East selection at Merrimack and earned a spot on the league s 2001 all-rookie team. He served as team captain as a senior after being named an assistant captain the prior season. He was the team s MVP in 2003 and also garnered the Players Coach Award. Following his collegiate career, Exter spent two seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, playing for the ECHL s Wheeling Nailers. Exter earned his bachelor s degree in political science from Merrimack in 2003. His highly-successful tenure with USA Hockey also included serving on the staff at the World Junior Championship in 2010, `11 and `12. The team won gold in 2010 and then bronze in 2011, marking the first time the USA won back-to-back medals in the event. As the first full-time goaltending coach with the NTDP, Exter was responsible for planning, designing and executing the regular on-ice practices for goaltenders, as well as scouting and evaluating the nation s top goaltending prospects. Exter was the coordinator of the revolutionary Warren Strelow National Goaltending Mentor Program, which is designed to recruit, develop and produce elite goaltenders across the United States. Prior to joining USA Hockey, Exter spent the 2006-07 season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League, where he was responsible for the team s defensemen and goaltenders, as well as overseeing scouting and recruiting efforts. Exter is married to Erin Van Bruggen and the couple has one son, Maxwell, who was born in February 2012. 18 MSUSPARTANS.COM
GOALTENDING COACH JASON MUZZATTI THE MUZZATTI FILE... EDUCATION: Bachelor s degree in finance from Michigan State in 1991 COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Michigan State, 1987-91 PROFESSIONAL PLAYING EXPERIENCE: 1991-2007 NHL (Calgary, Hartford, San Jose, New York Rangers), IHL, AHL, UHL, DEL (Germany), Ligga (Finland), Serie A (Italy) OLYMPIC PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Italy Former Spartan goaltender Jason Muzzatti is in his third season as the team s volunteer goaltending coach after joining the staff in July 2015. Muzzatti ranks as one of the best goaltenders in MSU history. His 83 wins are second among all MSU goaltenders, while he is third in both games played at 130 and career saves with 2,928. His 32 wins as a sophomore in 1988-89 still stand as the most in a single season by a Spartan goaltender. 2006, Turin PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: Head Coach Flint Generals (IHL), 2009-10 Assistant Coach Flint Generals (IHL), 2008-09 Muzzatti earned his degree from MSU in finance in 1991. He and his wife, Wendy, reside in Okemos with their three children: Dryden, Sutter and Bailey. 2017-18 MICHIGAN STATE HOCKEY From 1987-91, Muzzatti helped guide the Spartans to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Frozen Four in 1989, two CCHA Tournament titles and two CCHA regular season championships. He was honored with MSU s Distinguished Spartan Award in April 2015. Muzzatti was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft (21st overall) and played 16 seasons of professional hockey. The Toronto native played for four NHL teams - Calgary, Hartford, San Jose and the New York Rangers. After stints in both the IHL and AHL, Muzzatti moved to Europe where he played for eight seasons in Germany, Finland and Italy. Muzzatti, who also has citizenship in Italy, boasts an impressive international resume. He played in four World Championships for Italy and in the 2006 Olympics for Italy in Turin, Italy. He also competed for Canada in several international events. After retiring as a player following the 2006-07 season, Muzzatti coached the Flint Generals of the IHL for two seasons, first as an assistant and then as head coach. In 2009-10, he coached the Generals to the IHL finals, earning league coach of the year honors. Muzzatti co-founded the highly-successful Just Goalies camps in 1999 and continues to operate the camps each summer in both East Lansing and Indianapolis, Indiana. 19
1966, 1986, 2007 THREE-TIME NCAA CHAMPIONS HOCKEY ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF executive associate director of athletics shelley appelbaum assistant director of athletic communications jeff barnes munn ice arena tom campbell associate head athletic trainer dave carrier HOCKEY STAFF faculty athletics representative sue carter director of student-athlete development angela montie director of hockey operations brad fast team physician dr. robert norris senior all-access producer athletic communications justin garant hockey operations assistant barbara powers equipment tom magee executive secretary kris smith academic coordinator melissa tallant assoc. head strength & conditioning coach / dir. of sport science mike vorkapich student mike farley student jake lainesse student cam stevenson 20 MSUSPARTANS.COM