University of Connecticut Athletics
Chance to Coach Led Joe Ferriss Back to UConn
12/13/2018 10:15:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
contributed by Alyssa Cantisani
Joe Ferriss joined head coach Mike Cavanaugh's coaching staff as a graduate assistant at the start of the 2018-19 season after graduating from the program himself in 2016 with a degree in exercise science. Ferriss is currently in the process of completing his master's degree in Sport Management at UConn.
Ferriss played 120 games in his four-year career as a Husky and tallied 32 points on 14 goals and 18 assists.
Currently, Ferriss assists the program with video breakdown of games and practices along with developing scouting reports and practice plans.
Prior to joining the staff, Ferriss was working with the Boston Bandits NCDC of the USPHL where he was an assistant coach, was the U16 head coach and served as the strength and conditioning coach.
"I was doing all the off-ice training and I really missed the hockey side of it after being stuck in a weight room," said Ferriss. "As much as I love that myself, it was hard to just be there and watch. I wanted to be a part of that side of things and being part of a team again too is something I really value."
Not only has Ferriss been given the opportunity to coach alongside a previous coach of his own but he is assisting in coaching three players who were rookies during his senior campaign as well.
"I'm really proud of Karl (El-Mir), Miles (Gendron) and Max (Kalter)," said Ferriss. "They've grown tremendously as not only players but as people. They are the teams leaders and the way they carry themselves and their maturity levels now is really incredible. On the ice too, they're all guys who lead in a lot of categories. I think it helps that I've been with these guys. I'm an outlet for them and I know what they're going through."
Coach Cavanaugh came to UConn at the start of the 2014-15 season, Ferriss' junior year, giving him two seasons played under Cavanaugh. There were on and off-ice lessons learned but coaching beside Cavanaugh has been a much different experience for the graduate assistant.
"Being able to work with him and see what he does on a daily basis gives you a real appreciation for what he does," said Ferriss. "How he goes about things and how he wants to run a program makes me think, maybe one day if I'm in his shoes, how will I do that?"
Although Ferriss hung up his UConn jersey two years ago, he has felt like this year has been freshman year all over again. He is learning how to be a professional in this career on a daily basis by taking advice from and simply watching the way not only Cavanaugh but associate head coach Joe Pereira and assistant coach Tyler Helton lead the program.
"Of course you want to get different experiences," said Ferriss, "But this is a different experience for me. It's way different from then when I was here as a player and overall, UConn is just a great place to be."
Ferriss' coaching career at UConn has just begin and it can be said with confidence that we can expect a lot more from the Novi, Michigan native in 2019.
