"I want to thank Jim Rutherford, Bill Guerin, the Penguins' organization and the Wheeling Nailers ownership group for the opportunity to speak with Mark on this position," said Fitzgerald. "Mark has spent considerable time building, coaching and recruiting in one of college hockey's most competitive conferences. His experience will help him connect with players coming from the collegiate and junior hockey levels. Mark is extremely excited for a new challenge and to take the next step in his coaching career."
Dennehy, 50, coached for 13 seasons at Merrimack, posting 161 wins, and helped turn the program around. In 2010-11, he led the team to the most successful season in school history with a record 25 wins, as the Warriors advanced to the Hockey East Final and NCAA Regionals.
For his efforts, Dennehy won the Bob Kullen Coach of the Year Award as the conference's top coach. For the past four seasons, he coached Devils' draft pick Brett Seney who signed in March.
Prior to Merrimack, he served as assistant coach with UMass.-Amherst (HE, 1995-96 & 2000-2005), Princeton University (ECAC, 1997-99) and as Head Coach at Fairfield (MAAC, 1996-97).
As a right-shooting defenseman, he played four seasons at Boston College, 1987-1991, scoring eight goals and 46 assists for 54 points and 66 penalty minutes in 133 games. He played one professional season with Ayr of the British Hockey League.
Born October 18, 1967 in Dorchester, MA, Mark and his wife, Heather, have three daughters: Kelsey (14), Kielan (13) and Caroline (10).
Dennehy will be leaving for Slovakia this week to coach Team USA's Under-17 Select Team for the Five Nations Tournament. There will be a conference call with Dennehy and Fitzgerald tomorrow afternoon at 3:00pm and an announcement regarding an introductory press conference for him in Binghamton later this month.
