Tom Upton Named Head Coach of Brown Men's Hockey

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Brown University has named Tom Upton as the next Class of 1975 Head Coach for Men's Hockey, Mencoff Vice President for Athletics and Recreation M. Grace Calhoun '92 announced Monday. Upton becomes the 16th head coach in program history.

"Tom's track record as a skillful and proven leader, a respected builder of programs and culture, and a strong connector made him the ideal choice to lead the next chapter of our men's hockey program," Calhoun said. "We are thrilled to welcome him to College Hill and excited to see his continued success here."

Upton has worked with over 20 players who signed National Hockey League (NHL) contracts and two Hobey Baker Award winners. He has most recently served as assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for four seasons, where he helped guide the Minutemen to multiple postseason appearances and continued national prominence, including two NCAA tournament berths and an upset over No. 2 seed Minnesota last season. UMass is currently ranked No. 19 nationally.

In the junior hockey ranks, Upton spent two seasons (2020-22) as head coach and general manager of the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Under his leadership, the Capitols won a franchise-record 30 games in 2021-22, en route to being named the USHL Organization of the Year. That same year, Madison won the Eastern Conference Championship and appeared in the Clark Cup Finals, with a team featuring three future NHL draft picks.

Upton also brings national team experience to College Hill, having spent the summer of 2022 as an assistant coach for the USA Hockey Hlinka National Team. From 2017, he has continued to coach in USA Hockey Select Festivals.

"I am very grateful and honored for the opportunity to be the next Head Men's Hockey Coach at Brown University," Upton said. "I would like to thank Grace Calhoun, Jake Silverman, and everyone on the search committee for their diligence throughout the process. I am excited to meet and connect with our current players, alumni, and recruits."

"Our goal is to consistently compete for an ECAC championship, and it starts with creating and implementing a winning culture and environment," Upton continued. "We want our players pushed and developed every day. I believe we have all the resources to create a winning program. We have the resources for players to develop as athletes, compete in one of the top NCAA Division I Hockey conferences, and earn an elite education. I am excited to get to work!"

Before arriving at UMass Amherst, Upton spent three collegiate seasons as an assistant coach at Mercyhurst from 2017-20, helping lead the Lakers to an Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) regular-season title in 2017-18.

Upton spent the 2016-17 season as the forwards coach and power play coordinator for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. The Phantoms featured 30 NCAA Division I recruits and seven future NHL players. He served as head coach and general manager of the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in 2014-15, leading the team to its first postseason appearance in franchise history. Upton spent the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL, coaching eight NHL draft picks.

As a collegiate player, Upton competed at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point from 2006-10, before beginning his coaching career at his alma mater. In his three seasons as an assistant coach (2010-13), he recruited teams that earned the national championship once and were two-time runners-up.

Upton will continue at UMass until the 2025-26 season concludes for the Minutemen.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH UPTON

"Everyone at UMass Hockey is ecstatic for Tommy. I hired Tommy four years ago because I needed someone to help me build culture and connection throughout our program. He is extraordinary at holding players accountable while earning their trust and connecting with them. I will really miss working with him closely and will forever be grateful for what he has done for me and our UMass hockey program. Tommy has a ton of experience throughout every level of amateur hockey, and he is ready for this next challenge." - Greg Carvel, University of Massachusetts Amherst Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach
"Tom Upton's experience, energy, and passion for the game will be instrumental in developing players who know how to work hard and give more than anyone else on the ice. The Upton family will be a welcome addition to the Brown community." - Rick Gotkin, Mercyhurst University Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach
"Tom is a great coach, strong communicator and has an innate ability to lead. He is a man of strong character who cares deeply about his family, which shows through in how he treats his players and staff. Discipline, accountability and attention to detail are paramount to the culture he establishes through his leadership. Most importantly, Tom is a man of integrity and honesty who understands how to develop hockey players and build an organization the right way." - Andrew Joudrey, Madison Capitols President & CEO

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Tom Upton Named Head Coach of Brown Men's Hockey

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