Aitken to Return as St. Norbert Associate Head Coach

From Sports Information Director, July 17, 2015 | Men's Hockey
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - A.J. Aitken will return for his second stint on the St. Norbert College men's ice hockey coaching staff as associate head coach, beginning August 1.

Aitken, who has spent the last three seasons as the head coach at Marian University in Fond du Lac, spent nine seasons on St. Norbert coach Tim Coghlin's staff from 2003 to 2012. Aitken, who cited his family's move back to the De Pere area in returning to St. Norbert, was 39-37-4 during his tenure at Marian.

"I am excited about the opportunity to rejoin the St. Norbert College hockey program," Aitken said. "The overall experience at St. Norbert is first class, and I can't wait to return to the St. Norbert College family."

During Aitken's time on the St. Norbert staff, the Green Knights fashioned a glittering 217-37-23 record. St. Norbert won NCAA Division III national championships in 2008, 2011 and 2012. Overall, the Green Knights played in seven NCAA Division III Frozen Fours and six NCAA Division III national championship games during that stretch.

"We had a terrific nine-year run during A.J.'s first time here," Coghlin said. "He has a wealth of experience and we're glad to have him back. We're excited about his next tenure here."

A Fort McMurray, Alberta, native, Aitken played for NCAA Division I Michigan Tech from 1997 to 2000. Aitken played in 140 games for the Huskies, scoring 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. He also served as the Huskies' team captain during his last two seasons. Aitken, a finance major at MTU, was also named Academic All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association twice.

Following his collegiate career, Aitken played with Macon and Memphis of the Central Hockey League. His stint in Memphis, from 2001 to 2003, resulted in being a part of two CHL championships.

Aitken is married to Rachel and the couple has three children: Eliza, Ian and Hattie.