EASTON, Massachusetts (July 9, 2024) – Stonehill College Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach David Berard announced the addition of Matthew Creamer and Brian Rigali He will join the coaching staff ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 season.
“We are excited to welcome Matt and Brian to our coaching staff,” Berard said. “Matt and Brian bring a wealth of experience to our program, both from their time as student-athletes and as college hockey coaches. They know what it's like to succeed at the highest level and will use that knowledge to improve our program. They are both eager and motivated to help us take the next step as a Division I program. Their communication skills and positive energy will have a great impact on the Stonehill players and team.”
Creamer joins Stonehill after serving as a graduate assistant with the men's ice hockey program at Providence College. During his time with the Friars, Creamer assisted with setting up video equipment, tracking on-ice time, post-game analysis, analyzing footage of upcoming opponents and recruiting future student-athletes.
“I am excited and honored to join the Stonehill boys ice hockey coaching staff,” Creamer said. “I am grateful for the opportunity and excited to contribute to the overall development of our players on and off the ice. I look forward to working with David and Brian to help build a competitive Division I program.”
Prior to the start of his season at Providence, Creamer served as an assistant coach for the Mount St. Charles Hockey Academy U14 team. He managed the day-to-day operations and helped coordinate and supervise players in all aspects of hockey, development and sportsmanship. Additionally, Creamer served as head coach of the Providence Hockey Club's U18 team in the fall of 2021.
Creamer graduated from the University of Connecticut in New London, Connecticut in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in higher education and a minor in sport management. He was a three-year member of the Camel men's ice hockey team and served as co-captain during his senior season.
Creamer also gained NCAA Division I playing experience in the ECAC with the Quinnipiac University Bobcats during the 2017-18 season after playing two years with the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
Joining Creamer on the Skyhawks coaching staff is Rigali, a 2021 graduate of the University of Connecticut. A four-year member of the Huskies men's ice hockey team, Rigali gained valuable experience playing in Hockey East. A co-captain during his senior season, Rigali also played his fifth year at American International College, where he was one of the Yellow Jackets' leading scorers and led the team to an Atlantic Hockey Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. In his five seasons of collegiate hockey, Rigali played over 150 games at the Division I level.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to coach at Stonehill alongside David and Matt,” Rigali said, “and look forward to working with the players and staff to build something special. There are exciting times ahead at Stonehill.”
Rigali comes to Easton, Massachusetts after spending the past two years as an assistant coach at the college prep and NCAA Division III levels, most recently serving as the assistant men's hockey coach at SUNY Fredonia where he was responsible for the team's recruiting efforts, on-ice development, player video analysis, advance opponent scouting and weekly team coordination.
Prior to his time with the Blue Devils in Fredonia, New York, Rigali spent one season as an assistant coach at Groton College Preparatory School in Groton, Massachusetts.
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Rigali was a standout player and established leader at the junior and collegiate levels. A native of Libertyville, Illinois, Rigali played two seasons of junior hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top division of junior hockey sanctioned by the USA Hockey Association, as part of the Sioux City Musketeers. Named captain in his sophomore season, Rigali's leadership helped the team win the Anderson Cup trophy, awarded to the regular season champions, and earn an appearance in the Clark Cup Finals against the Chicago Steel in 2017.
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