North Michigan News

MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University hockey team and head coach Dave Shyiak have announced the addition of former NMU hockey player and Marquette native Andy Contois to the coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 season.

A Northern Michigan University graduate with a degree in Finance, Contois has spent the past three seasons as associate head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top junior league in the United States. During his tenure at Youngstown, Contois contributed to a 100-61-16-9 record and played a key role in leading the Phantoms to their first Clark Cup title in the 2022-23 season.

"Andy is ready for this opportunity," said head coach Dave Shyiak. "He's an alum from Marquette that has developed into a great coach and recruiter. He will be an important asset to our program and community moving forward. I can't wait for Andy and his wife Taylor to get back up to the UP and carry on the tradition of Wildcat Hockey."

"I want to thank President Tessman, Rick Comley, and coach Dave Shyiak for the opportunity to come back to Northern," Contois said. "The program is in great hands with Coach Shyiak and I couldn't be more excited to join his staff and help develop and build this program into something the University and community of Marquette is proud of."

Before joining Youngstown, Contois spent two seasons with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, where he helped lead the team to playoff qualifications both seasons while leading in player call-ups to the AHL.

Prior to his time with Indy Fuel, Contois worked for two seasons with Central Illinois Flying Aces of USHL. While there, he coached seven players who were drafted into NHL and saw 45 players move on to play Division I hockey.

As a player, Andy was part of NMU's Wildcats from 2002-2005 under Coach Shyiak during three seasons. He went on to have a 10-year professional playing career spanning North America’s AHL and ECHL leagues as well as seven seasons in Europe.