ERIE, Pa. – Mercyhurst University Director of Athletics Joe Kimball announced at a Tuesday press conference that men's hockey head coach Rick Gotkin and women's hockey head coach Michael Sisti have been signed to four-year contract extensions, allowing them to stay as head coach of their respective programs through the 2015-16 season.



“It's an exciting day here at Mercyhurst University, especially for our two hockey programs and head coaches Rick Gotkin and Michael Sisti,” said Kimball in Tuesday's press conference. “As a former coach, I understand the importance of having a four-year contract. One of the first things kids will as during the recruiting process is 'am I assured you are going to be my coach all four years.' Now, both Rick and Mike can say yes they will.”

Gotkin, who will be entering his 25th season as the head coach of the men's program at Mercyhurst, has compiled a career record of 434-306-60 and is the only coach in NCAA history to take the same program to the Division III, Division II, and Division I national playoffs. His 434 wins are 28th all-time among all NCAA men's hockey coaches – at any level.

“It's absolutely a great thing for our program,” said Gotkin. “It certainly benefits my family and me, but the bigger picture is that it shows commitment towards ice hockey here at Mercyhurst University and commitment is very important to recruits and to existing players.”

The men's team is coming off of a 20-win season and a trip to the Atlantic Hockey semifinals, both of which occurred for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign.

“It's a great thing all the way around,” continued Gotkin. “Kids who are looking at schools want to make sure that the school is committed to the program and that the head coach will be there for a while. Today's announcement definitely reinforces that.”

The men's non-conference slate this year features a trip to last year's national runner-up, Ferris State, a trip to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before Thanksgiving, a trip to Clarkson prior to Christmas, and a trip to Maine immediately following the New Year.

Meanwhile, Sisti, who has been the only coach in the history of the Mercyhurst women's program, will be entering his 14th season as head coach after serving six seasons as Gotkin's assistant of the men's team. Sisti has amassed a record of 334-92-29 during his tenure, which is tied for third all-time behind Katey Stone (378) and Laura Halldorson (337). His .766 winning percentage is second only to Wisconsin's Mark Johnson (.832).

“It's nice to have another four years on paper,” said Sisti on Tuesday. “It definitely helps the recruiting process and it certainly gives me great peace of mind that I'm assured another four years to continue to build the program.”

The women made their eighth consecutive appearance to the NCAA tournament a year ago, which set an NCAA record for the longest streak of making the playoffs. Mercyhurst gave top-seeded Wisconsin everything it could handle in the quarterfinals before bowing 3-1, capping off a 23-8-3 season – the program's 11th straight 20-win season.

“Both my staff and my players have represented Mercyhurst with a great deal of pride and we love working and playing here,” continued Sisti. “It's nice to know that we have a deal for four more years and we're excited to continue to do what we do.”

Highlighting the women's schedule this season are home non-conference games against Clarkson in October, Boston College in January, and a trip to Cornell in late January.

The men will begin the 2012-13 campaign with an exhibition game against Wilfrid Laurier on October 6 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center beginning at 7:05 p.m. The women start the year with an exhibition game against Stoney Creek on September 22 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center beginning at 5:00 p.m.