Andy Jones enters his second season as Bentley University’s head hockey coach with the 2024-25 season.
In his first season at the helm the Falcons won their most games since 2019-20. In the process there were a number of notable achievements.
· Led Atlantic Hockey in fewest goals allowed per game for the first time.
· Ranked 5th nationally in fewest goals allowed per game.
· Set a program single-season record with five shutouts.
· One of just seven teams nationally with a penalty kill above 84% and a power play above 20%.
· Ranked seventh nationally in fewest shots allowed per game.
The Falcons also excelled academically during the 2023-24 season. They posted the highest cumulative GPA of any Bentley team. All 30 players on the roster were named to the AHA All-Academic team and 11 players were AHCA All-American Scholars.
Jones was named Bentley’s head coach on June 28, 2023 after he was the Associate Head Coach at UMass Lowell for five years.
During his time on the River Hawk staff, which spanned eight seasons overall, the program received three NCAA tournament bids, went to three Hockey East championship games and won the 2017 Hockey East championship. He was involved in both player and leadership development, oversaw the defense and worked with the penalty kill unit.
All told, Jones has more than 20 years of coaching experience at various levels. 19 of his former players have gone on to compete in the NHL.
His resume also includes tenures as an assistant coach at Clarkson University (2011-15), Sioux Falls in the USHL (2006-10) and his alma mater Amherst College (2000-05).
“I am honored and excited to be named the next head coach at Bentley University,” said Jones upon his hiring. “I believe there is tremendous opportunity here for the ice hockey program to grow into a formidable force in Atlantic Hockey and NCAA Division I. The energy and vision of Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams and President E. LaBrent Chrite, coupled with the support of the diverse and dynamic Bentley community and the state-of-the-art Bentley Arena, demonstrate a clear commitment to the success of Bentley ice hockey.
“I am deeply appreciative that I have been entrusted with the task of leading the Bentley ice hockey program into its next chapter,” continued Jones. “I look forward to building a program centered on positivity, intensity and determination that will reflect the high standards of excellence and innovation that represent Bentley University.”
“Playing for Andy Jones is playing with structure and competing. Andy doesn’t care if you have 15 goals or no goals, if you compete and show up every day to work, you put yourself in a situation to be successful,” said Lucas Condotta, UMass-Lowell’s 2021-22 captain and a member of the Montreal Canadiens. “Playing for Andy through college, he helped me so much personally. If I wanted to shoot pucks, work on something, do extra video or had any questions, he was always there for me and for his players. I know he’s going to be an amazing head coach, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
