Portsmouth Abbey School announced the hiring of Zachery Cappelli as its Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Coach on Friday, June 2 after a competitive search process. Cappelli, a graduate of Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, has previously seen success as both a head coach and assistant coach at the independent school and collegiate levels. An experienced leader in youth training and development, he has worked with students aged 12-25 to build their skills and knowledge of the game and to understand the importance of conditioning and specialized cultivation of personal strengths and skill sets.
“We are beyond excited to have Zach Cappelli join our Raven community as the head coach for boys’ varsity ice hockey,” said Athletic Director, Chris Milmoe. “He understands the game, the league, the competition, and all of the other factors required to strengthen our team and each player individually as a contributing member of that team. Most importantly, he knows what it takes to empower players who want to further both their education and careers on the ice.”
Head of School Matt Walter joined Milmoe in sharing his excitement. “Zach will be an asset not only to our hockey players but to all of our Raven athletes,” Walter commented. “His background and experience with player development, recruitment and even running a business are relatable to our students. His willingness to mentor young athletes on the skills needed beyond the ice, fields or courts is an important component to the Portsmouth Abbey experience.”
Cappelli will officially join the Portsmouth Abbey Ravens on July 1. Most recently, he served as the Assistant Men’s Hockey Coach at Nichols College where he recruited student-athletes from North America and Europe to play hockey and helped lead the Bison to the 2023 Boston Landing Championship and the 2022 Worcester Cup Championship. Prior to his collegiate experience, Cappelli was the assistant coach at Winchendon School (NEPSAC) and the head coach and assistant athletic director at Hoosac School (NEPSAC) where his team captured the Holt Conference Championship. He is affiliated with the Broncos Hockey Club and the Little Rhody Hockey Club operating out of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He is the owner of Level Up Hockey Development, a skill development and consulting company geared toward helping hockey players improve and reach their goals.
Portsmouth Abbey School Boys’ Ice Hockey is a proud member of NEPSAC, one of the premier high school hockey leagues in the country, and the Holt Conference.