WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester Railers Hockey Club, ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, have announced the promotion of assistant coach Bob Deraney to Head Coach, and the hiring of Nick Tuzzolino as the organization’s new General Manager and Associate Head Coach.
Deraney, 59, is the fourth head coach in Worcester Railers HC history and has been involved with the team since the 2019-20 ECHL season in a consulting capacity. He formally joined the Railers as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season. A native of West Roxbury, Deraney brings 35 years of collegiate and professional coaching experience. Prior to the Railers, Deraney was the Head Coach of Worcester State University’s Men’s Ice Hockey from 2021-23, where he was awarded the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year after leading the team to their first ever MASCAC Finals.
“To think that I would be the head coach of the organization at this point time is perfect,” Deraney said. “I’ve learned a lot about the league and the organization. I’m prepared to help the players that are entrusted to us get closer to their goals, and to bring a winner to Worcester. The Worcester fan base deserves nothing less.”
As head coach of Providence College Women’s Ice Hockey, Deraney led the team to three Hockey East Championships in nineteen years and boasted a record of 319-288-73 (.523). Deraney is currently 20th all-time among Women’s Ice Hockey head coaches in wins.
“One of the areas the team grew immensely in last season was the development of a positive culture in and around the locker room,” Railers Chief Operating Officer Michael G. Myers said. “Bob has a big hand in growing that culture and creating the type of atmosphere that players and staff all want to be a part of. We’re excited for the opportunity to elevate Bob to this new role after his years of hard work and dedication to not just professional hockey here in the city, but to the Worcester community as well.”
Tuzzolino, 38, is the first ever general manager and associate head coach in the organization’s history. A native of Buffalo, New York, Tuzzolino joins the Railers after he spent the 2023-24 season as assistant coach and director of player development with the Savannah Ghost Pirates. As a defenseman, he played over 500 games professionally between the UHL, IHL, ECHL & American Hockey League from 2007-2023. During his initial retirement, he coached the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the Ontario…
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