ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's hockey team has added Derek Whitmore as an assistant coach. 

"I am very excited to welcome Derek to our coaching staff. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our program with his background and experience both as a former division one athlete as well as a professional player,'" said head coach Rick Gotkin. "I believe that Derek will make an immediate impact on our student athletes with his knowledge, experience, hard work, and passion. I would like to welcome Derek and his family to our Mercyhurst University family, and our Men's Hockey program." 

After a 10-year professional career, Whitmore spent last season as an assistant coach for the Bowdoin women's hockey team. In his time with the Polar Bears, Whitmore served as the recruiting coordinator and assisted in all aspects of game and practice preparation. 

"I am thrilled to be joining the Laker staff and the Mercyhurst community. Coaching at the Division I level has always been something I wanted to do once my playing career came to an end and I am truly grateful for this opportunity at Mercyhurst," said Whitmore.  

"First I want to thank Marissa O'Neil for giving me an opportunity to coach with her. I learned a tremendous amount from her and what coaching at the collegiate level is all about," Whitmore continued. "Thank you to all the student-athletes I had the luxury of coaching these last two seasons at Bowdoin as well as Athletic Director Tim Ryan and Associate Athletic Director Alice Wiercinski and the rest of the athletic department. I also need to thank my wife Sarah for supporting me in this journey. When I retired in 2018, I knew I wanted to get into coaching and was fortunate to land at Bowdoin with the women's team." 

Whitmore played four seasons at Bowling Green and finished with 102 career points on 70 goals and 32 assists. 

His 10-year professional career spanned eight leagues including the NHL, where he played for the Buffalo Sabres. He held multiple leadership positions in his professional tenure including assistant captain of the Rochester Americans and the captain of the Reading Royals.  

"There is such a rich tradition at Mercyhurst and within the men's hockey program, and I am excited to help foster and develop the next wave of Lakers who come through Erie," said Whitmore. "Rick and Greg [Gardner] have the program primed for some tremendous success in the near future, and I am looking forward to being a part of it and getting the opportunity to work with some great young men."