Oct 28, 2022 - The Stallion Hockey Club at Western Michigan University named Alex Hufford as the new Head Coach of the Division 1 team, replacing Andy Reynolds.
Reynolds had served as the Head Coach since September 2020, though the team did not compete in the September 20-21 season due to COVID. Reynolds lead the team to a 5-12 record this season and was 11-38-2-1 during his tenure. Club President Justin Satawa shared "Andy was a positive influence on me personally and helped the team make strides in player recruitment and other areas, but it was time for a new attitude in the organization and that is why the change was made."
Hufford joined the Stallion Division 1 coaching staff this year as an Assistant Coach, before being promoted to Head Coach by the organization. Hufford played in goal for the Stallions from 2018-2022 and served as a Captain in the 2021-22 season. Alex currently owns the Stallion program goaltending records for Wins in a Season (21), Career Minutes Played (4,843), Most games played (85), and is 2nd in Career Wins (35). Hufford also served as President of the organization for 3 years as well.
Satawa described the new Head Coach as "a stabilizing presence, a hard worker with great preparation and hockey knowledge, and a person with the belief, integrity and attitude we are looking for in this club."
Hufford recently graduated from WMU with degrees in Sports Management and Communications and was a recipient of the prestigious WMU Medallion Scholarship. He served as an Assistant Coach for the Portage Muskies High school hockey program for 3 years and an instructor at the Bandits Goaltending School. Alex continues to work with the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association to coach, mentor and teach young hockey players.
Alex grew up in the Kalamazoo area and started hockey through the KOHA Youth Hockey program. He played high school hockey for the Portage Central Mustangs then played 2 seasons for the Wisconsin Whalers of the NA3HL before attending WMU and playing for the Stallions.
About the Stallions:
The Stallion Hockey Club is a Student Organization at Western Michigan University and the coaches and volunteers with the program are selected by the Student Board. The Stallions were started in 1995 and won the ACHA Division 2 National Championship that year. The Stallions have competed at the Division 1 level since 1996. The Stallions are primarily funded by student fees, though they do receive some funds from the Sports Club Council.