NAHL Names Tony Zasowski as Director of Player Personnel
April 28, 2017 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
New Jersey Titans News Release
FRISCO, TEXAS - The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that veteran coach Tony Zasowski has been named the new Director of Player Personnel for the NAHL, as well as, the new Director of the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL).
In his new role, Zasowski will oversee all aspects of NAHL Future Prospects Combines, NAHL Future Prospects Tournaments, NAHL Central Scouting and Education Initiatives for the NAHL, NA3HL and NAPHL. In addition, Zasowski will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NAPHL, along with direction of all the NAPHL events during the 2017-18 season.
Zasowski has a great passion and proven track record for the development and promotion of players and his new role will focus on continuing that path and ladder of development from the youth to junior to NCAA levels of hockey.
As a result of Zasowski's hiring, the NAHL has announced the following: Former Director of Player Personnel Craig Barnett will continue on with the league as the Director of NCAA Compliance and Education. Current Coordinator of Hockey Operations Josh Shields will continue in his current role to include managing NAHL Central Scouting and Future Prospect Combines. Former NAPHL Director Lucas Trombetta will continue with the league as a regional scout for NAHL Central Scouting, as well as, assisting with NAPHL events.
"Tony's experience and relationships in the youth, junior and college hockey world will provide us with a unique perspective to coaches and players in the NAHL family of leagues looking to gain opportunities at the next level," said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. "As someone who has coached and developed players in both the NAHL and NAPHL, Tony has a background that lends itself perfectly to the responsibilities and mission of the position. He understands perfectly the goals of all three leagues and the ladder of development process."
For the past five seasons, Zasowski has served as head coach and general manager for the NAHL's Springfield Jr. Blues. During that five-year span, Zasowski had over 40 players make NCAA commitments under his watch. Prior to that, Zasowski was the head coach for both the 18U and 16U San Jose Jr. Sharks teams in the NAPHL. Zasowski was one of the founding members of the NAPHL back in 2009.
"This is an exciting next step in my career and one that my family and I are very excited about," said Zasowski. "Having coached in both the NAHL and NAPHL for a number of years, I have a personal and vested interest to continue and sustain their long-term success and growth. My time spent in the NAHL and NAPHL has fostered many beneficial relationships in NCAA, junior and youth hockey and I am excited to be joining the great staff that the league has in place."
Prior to coaching with the Jr. Sharks, Zasowski was Assistant Coach/Goalie Coach for the Pensacola Ice Pilots in the ECHL. Zasowski also had stints in the USHL as Assistant Coach/Assistant General Manager with the Chicago Steel, in the NAHL as Assistant Coach with the Springfield Spirit. In addition to his regular coaching duties, Tony has worked numerous USA Hockey Select Festivals as a goalie coach and evaluator.
As a player, Zasowski grew up in Illinois playing goaltender for Team Illinois and Chicago Young Americans. His junior career included winning an Anderson Cup and National Championship with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and playing in Omaha where he won a Clark Cup where he set a league record with 35 wins in a season and won Goalie of the Year. From there, he earned a scholarship at the University of Notre Dame where he was named Freshman of the Year for the Irish. He finished up his playing career with the Dayton Bombers in the ECHL.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2017
- NAHL Names Tony Zasowski as Director of Player Personnel - New Jersey Titans
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