For Immediate Release December 9, 1996 Cronin Resigns UMaine Position to Join USA Hockey Orono -- University of Maine interim head coach Greg Cronin has resigned his position effective immediately to accept a position as assistant coach of the Elite Development Program of USA Hockey, the National Governing Body for ice hockey in the United States. UMaine assistant coach Grant Standbrook will serve as head coach when the Black Bears play host to the JCPenney Classic at Alfond Arena on December 20-21. Head Coach Shawn Walsh, who is serving a University-imposed, one-year suspension returns as head coach on December 24. Cronin, 32, has served as interim head coach since December 24,1995 directing the Black Bears to a 19-13-2 record. In addition, he led UMaine to a 6-0 record against Canadian colleges last season. Cronin rejoined the Black Bear hockey program in 1993 after serving as an assistant coach at Colorado College from 1990-93. He was the interim co-head coach at Colorado College from September until November of 1992, leading the Tigers to a 4-3 mark in seven games. Cronin previously coached at UMaine as a graduate assistant from 1988-90. He received his master's degree from UMaine in 1990. USA Hockey is the official representative to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation. In those roles, USA Hockey is responsible for organizing and training teams for international competitions including world tournaments and the Olympic Games. Cronin's first duties with USA Hockey will be in assisting Senior Director to the Elite Development Program and U.S. National Junior team head coach Jeff Jackson. Cronin will serve as an assistant on Jackson's U.S. National Junior team staff during two exhibition games in Germany on December 21 and 22 and at the World Junior Tournament at Geneva, Switzerland from December 26-January 4. The U.S. team opens the tournament with host Switzerland on December 26. --- Deron Treadwell ([log in to unmask])