Sport(s) Ice hockey 2000–2003 Fairfield | 1997–2000 US NTDP (Assistant) | |
1985–1987 Saint Mary's (Assistant) 1987–1995 Paramus Catholic High School 1992–1997 New Jersey Junior Devils (HC/GM) Alma mater Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | ||
Jim Hunt is an American ice hockey former head coach and current president of the New Jersey Hitmen.
Career
Hunt got his coaching start as an undergrad while at Saint Mary's. After graduating with a degree in criminal justice and psychology in 1987 he returned home to New Jersey to take over as head coach for the Paramus Catholic High School ice hockey team, working there until 1995. towards the end of his tenure with Paramus Hunt also served as head coach and general manager for the New Jersey Junior Devils of the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League. He worked in that dual capacity until 1997 when he was hired as an assistant coach and assistant director of player personnel for the recently created US NTDP.
In 2000, after having four coaches in five years, Fairfield turned to Hunt to stabilize its young Division I program that had gone 4-59-3 the previous two campaigns. In his first season the Stags almost quadrupled their win total, going 11-19-2 and finishing tied for seventh in the conference. The team regressed the next year, recording only six wins, but modest improvements saw an 8-win third season. With the team mired at the bottom of the standings the program was cut as part of a cost-cutting measure by the university that also claimed the football program.
With his time in Fairfield over Hunt once again returned to New Jersey, this time joining the newly formed New Jersey Hitmen. He worked as head coach and general manager for three years and was named as team president in 2006. While remaining with the club Hunt has also served as a regional manager for USA Hockey's American Development Model and was named as a deputy commissioner for the USPHL's youth divisions that are set to begin play in the 2016-17 season.
Hunt was a police officer for 25 years, retiring as a detective for Fort Lee Police Department.