Men’s hockey fills vacancy with alumnus, All-American Chris Dyment

The coaching staff shuffle ended for the Boston University men’s hockey team Wednesday when head coach David Quinn announced former Terrier defenseman Chris Dyment as the new director of hockey operations.

It was the only spot left unoccupied after former associate head coach Steve Greeley departed for the New York Rangers in August, making room for Albie O’Connell to move into that role while former director of hockey operations Scott Young was promoted to O’Connell’s old job as assistant coach.

“We’re really excited to add Chris to our staff,” Quinn said in a release from BU Athletics. “He has a lot of good experience in hockey, especially after running a junior program the past two seasons. He certainly possesses all the qualities we’re looking for in a director of hockey operations.”

Dyment was named Bentley University’s assistant coach in July but instead opted to take the job with BU.

Like his new co-workers, Dyment also took the ice for BU, though his tenure spanned from 1998-2002. The defenseman recorded 20 goals and 52 assists in 142 games as a Terrier, co-captaining the squad during his senior season.

In his freshman year with the scarlet and white, Dyment was teammates with O’Connell, putting up six points in 25 games, all while O’Connell tallied nine goals and 30 assists in 36 contests. The Terriers also won the Beanpot that year.

After O’Connell finished up his collegiate career, Dyment added to his resume. He won two more Beanpots in 2000 and 2002 and was named to the ACHA All-America Second Team in those same years as well.  In his sophomore season, Dyment earned Hockey East First Team All-Star honors in addition to being presented with the award for Hockey East Best Defensive Defensemen that year, too.

Dyment never cracked an NHL lineup, but was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, 97th overall. He spent time in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and Italy’s Serie A before retiring from playing in 2009. He won the Calder Cup with the Houston Aeros of the AHL in 2003 and also served as assistant captain of the Providence Bruins for two years following a yearlong stint with the Springfield Falcons.

Removed from his playing career, Dyment was a skills instructor around the state before spending the past two seasons as head coach of New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs of the United States Premier Hockey League. The team finished in the middle of the standings this past season, posting a 20-20-0-4 record in 44 games.

Though he was the head coach, Dyment’s responsibilities extended past the ice. He was also in charge of everyday operations for the organization and took care of practices, recruiting and game preparation.