Mike Ayers, USA Hockey's National Team Development Program goaltending coach, was recently named as an assistant coach with Boston College it was announced today.
Ayers is coming off his second season with the Ann Arbor, Mich. based program, where he was responsible for planning, designing and executing the regular on-ice practices for goaltenders at the NTDP, as well as scouting and evaluating the nation’s top goaltending prospects. In addition to his duties at the NTDP, Ayers coordinated the revolutionary Warren Strelow National Goaltending Mentor Program, which is designed to recruit, develop and produce elite netminders in the United States.
"Representing my country for the past two years with the amazing staff we had was something I will always cherish," said Ayers. "I am truly blessed for the opportunity that USA Hockey provided me. My experiences with great coaches like Danton (Cole), Don (Granato) and Ron (Rolston) helped prepare me for the next step of my career and I'm very excited to be part of the Boston College family."
The Hingham, Mass. native served as the goaltending coach for the silver medalist U.S. National Under-18 Team at the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Under-18 Championship. Ayers previously served in the same capacity for the gold medal-winning Under-18 Team at the 2012 IIHF Men’s World Under-18 Championship in the Czech Republic. In six games during the tournament, U.S. netminders allowed just four goals (0.67 goals per game) and had a combined save percentage of .970 with four shutouts.
Before his time with the NTDP, Ayers spent two seasons (2009-11) as the goaltending coach at St. Cloud State University of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Prior to the 2009-10 campaign, he served as goaltending coach for the Iowa Chops, the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks.
Ayers was a four-year standout at the University of New Hampshire (2000-04) where he appeared in 102 games and compiled a 58-25-12 (W-L-T) record. He was named USA Hockey’s College Player of the Year in 2003, the same season he earned American Hockey Coaches Association/JOFA East Second Team All-America honors. Ayers earned his bachelor’s degree in sports studies from the University of New Hampshire.
Ayers went on to compete professionally for four seasons (2004-08) in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and in Europe.