David Lassonde begins his 24th season and 18th at the University of New Hampshire, which makes him the longest tenured assistant coach in the history of the men’s hockey program. Lassonde began coaching at UNH in 1988 serving as the team’s goaltending coach. During his tenure Lassonde has mentored a pair of Hobey Baker finalists in Ty Conklin and Kevin Regan as well as five All-Americans in Conklin, Regan, Mike Ayers, Jeff Levy and, most recently, Brian Foster.

In between his two stays in Durham, he spent three years at both the University of Wisconsin and Miami University. During his 24 years of collegiate coaching, he has been to five Frozen Fours and 17 NCAA Tournaments. As a member of Coach Umile’s staff, Lassonde is primarily responsible for coaching the Wildcat defensemen and goaltenders. Lassonde’s other on-ice duties include assisting Umile in all aspects of practice preparation and implementation, especially as it relates to the program’s defensive systems. Off ice, Lassonde coordinates the UNH video program and his experience has also played a key role in UNH’s recruitment of many of its national caliber players.

In 2007, Lassonde was recognized by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) with the Terry Flanagan Award, which is given annually to an assistant coach who has demonstrated a superior body of work during his/her career. In addition, he was inducted into the Rochester (N.H.) Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements as an athlete and coach.

During the summer months, Lassonde works for the New England District in its Player Development programs. He has coached at numerous USA Hockey district and national festivals, and was an assistant on the US Under-18 team that competed in the 2005 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournamnet in Slovakia. He has also coached for the past 18 years at Stan Mikita’s School for the Hearing Impaired in Chicago, Ill. He serves as On Ice Director for the very successful Dick Umile Hockey School and coordinates all aspects of the school’s schedule. Recently, Lassonde became a mentor for the USA Hockey Warren Strelow Goaltending Mentor Program.

The Rochester, N.H. native graduated cum laude from Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Education and played goal for the Friars from 1981-83 under current New Jersey Devils President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello. Coach Lassonde resides in Durham and graduated from, played for, and taught at Spaulding High School (Rochester, N.H.).