DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College Vice President and Director of Athletics Jack Hayes announced that Alex Gacek has been appointed the head men's hockey coach at Nichols College.

"Alex Gacek brings a new direction to our men's hockey program, and we are incredibly excited to have him join our staff," said Hayes. "He has a wealth of experience at both the professional and collegiate levels and will be able to recruit and develop a successful brand of ice hockey to Nichols College."
 
Gacek, a former Division I hockey student-athlete at Miami University (OH), comes to Nichols fresh off a two-season stint as the associate head coach of fellow Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) institution Wentworth. During his time with the Leopards, Gacek helped lead the squad to its first CCC Championship berth in team history in 2019-20.
 
While at Wentworth, Gacek coordinated the team's game plan for special teams while also overseeing the recruitment of prospective talent at various levels, including the North American Hockey League (NAHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC), and preparatory schools.
 
"I am very excited to be part of the Herd! I can't thank President Glenn M. Sulmasy and Director of Athletics Jack Hayes enough for the opportunity to lead the Bison," stated Gacek. "The tight family culture was something that stood out to me right away, and I can't wait to start developing relationships throughout the Nichols community. I am eager to hit the ice and continue the tradition of Nichols hockey."
 
Prior to his time in Boston, Gacek served as an assistant coach with the Saint Anselm men's hockey team for the 2018-19 season, helping the Hawks to a Northeast-10 (NE-10) regular-season championship as well as a spot in the conference tournament final game. As head of recruitment for the NAHL, NCDC, and prep schools, Gacek helped recruit both the eventual NE-10 player of the year and goalie of the year during his lone season in Manchester.
 
Gacek co-founded the North Shore Chill Hockey program out of Hampton, N.H. in 2013, and has served as the head of operations and head coach ever since.
 
Gacek's resumé as a player spans to the professional level, where he suited up for the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators from 2016-2018, playing in 44 contests for the former Boston Bruins affiliate. Notching 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points helped him land in the top-five for rookie goal scorers in his first pro season. In 2017, Gacek was invited to the Bruins Rookie Camp.
 
Prior to his time in the pros, Gacek was a four-year member of the Miami University (OH) men's hockey program from 2012-2016, partaking in 149 career games, contributing 16 goals and 30 assists for the RedHawks. Twice during his playing career, Gacek participated in the NCAA Division I Tournament, in 2013 and 2015.
 
Gacek graduated from Miami in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in sport leadership and management, minoring in entrepreneurship. He also completed a Master of Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire in 2022.