Buffalo State has announced that Nick Carriere has accepted the position of head men’s hockey coach, effective August 8.

Carriere comes to Buffalo State after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Fredonia State, where he worked extensively in the program's recruiting efforts in New York, Ontario, Quebec, Michigan and Ohio. He also has nine years of experience working with various hockey camps, including the Buffalo Sabres Hockey School, the European Development Camp, and Can/Am Hockey Schools. He also served as an assistant coach in the 2003 Eastern College Division Senior All-Star Game.

“Nick comes to Buffalo State with an excellent background,” said Athletics Director Jerry Boyes. “I am confident that he has the tools to lead our hockey program to new heights.”

“I am excited about this opportunity,” said Carriere. “I look forward to working to make the Buffalo State name synonymous with hockey.”

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Carriere relocated to the Western New York in the early 1990s. He attended Niagara University, where he was a key contributor to the success of the Purple Eagles and earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce. On the ice, Carriere was twice named the squad's Most Improved Player. He participated in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Championship during the 1998-99 and 2000-01 seasons. Prior to playing for the Purple Eagles, he played Junior B hockey for the Fort Erie (Ont.) Meteors.

Following graduation, he played professional hockey in both Rockford and Adirondack of the United Hockey League. He also received a training camp invite from the South Carolina Stingrays of the East Coast Hockey League.

Carriere comes with a hockey pedigree. His father, Larry, is a former NHL player, who spent four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, and is currently the pro scout with the Washington Capitals.