EASTON, Mass. (July 9, 2024) – Stonehill College men's ice hockey head coach David Berard has announced the additions of Matthew Creamer and Brian Rigali to his coaching staff for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
 
"I'm excited to welcome Matt and Brian to our coaching staff," said Berard. "Matt and Brian bring a wealth of experience to our program from their time as student-athletes and now as coaches in college hockey. They know what success, at the highest level, looks like and will bring that knowledge to better our program. Both are eager and driven to help us take the next step forward in our development as a Division I program. Their communication skills and positive energy will make a significant impact on our players and team at Stonehill."

Creamer joins Stonehill fresh off his experience at Providence College, where he served as a graduate assistant for the men's ice hockey program. During his time with the Friars, Creamer assisted with the set-up of video equipment, time-on-ice tracking, post-game analytical breakdown, analyzing film for upcoming opponents, and the recruiting of prospective student-athletes.
 
"I am thrilled and honored to join the men's ice hockey coaching staff at Stonehill," said Creamer. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and am 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."
 
Before his season at Providence, Creamer served as an assistant coach for the Mount Saint Charles Hockey Academy U14 team. He managed day-to-day operations and helped coordinate and supervise players in all aspects of hockey, development, and sportsmanship. In addition, Creamer served as the head coach of the U18 team at the Providence Hockey Club in the Fall of 2021.
 
Creamer graduated from Connecticut College in New London, Conn., in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in higher education and a minor in Sports Administration. He was a three-year member of the Camel men's ice hockey team and served as an alternate captain during his senior season.
 
Creamer also garnered NCAA Division I playing experience in the ECAC with the Bobcats of Quinnipiac University during the 2017-18 season after a two-year stint with the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).
 
Also 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 picked up invaluable experience playing in Hockey East. Rigali, the alternate captain during his senior season, also played a fifth year at American International College, where he was among the Yellow Jackets top scorers and helped lead the team to an Atlantic Hockey Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Over his five seasons of collegiate hockey, Rigali played in over 150 games at the Division I level.  
 
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to coach at Stonehill alongside David and Matt," said Rigali. "I look forward to working with our players and staff to help build something special. There are exciting times ahead for us on the Hill."
 
Rigali comes to Easton, Mass., after spending the past two years as an assistant coach at the college prep and NCAA Division III level. Most recently, Rigali served as the assistant men's hockey coach at SUNY-Fredonia where he was responsible for the squad's recruiting efforts, on-ice development, video analysis for players, pre-scouting opponents, and team adjustments week-to-week.
 
Prior to his experience with the Blue Devils in Fredonia, New York, Rigali spent a season as an assistant coach at Groton College-Preparatory School in Groton, Massachusetts.
 
Before his coaching career began, Rigali was a standout player and established leader at the junior and collegiate levels. The Libertyville, Ill., native played two seasons of junior hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top junior hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey, as a member of the Sioux City Musketeers. Named the captain during his second season, Rigali's leadership was instrumental in leading the Musketeers to win the Anderson Cup Trophy, presented to the regular season champion, and in helping earn a spot in the Clark Cup Finals against the Chicago Steel in 2017.
 
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