ORONO – The University of Maine announced Wednesday that Gene Reilly was named assistant hockey coach, replacing Mario Thyer.

Reilly held the position of head coach and general manager of the New England Junior Coyotes, leading the team to a 44-6-1 record last season. From 1995-97, he compiled a 87-9-7 mark in two seasons as head coach of the Junior Whalers.

“[UMaine] is a program that is going to make a run at the national championship in the next few years,” said Reilly. “I have always admired the UMaine hockey club because the program that I came from placed players in the top colleges on the nation such as Boston University, UMaine and Lake Superior State. [Head coach] Shawn Walsh is one of college hockey’s premier coaches and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Walsh said his program is ecstatic to have Reilly.

“He brings a wealth of hands-on teaching and coaching experience, as well as a tremendous knowledge of some key recruiting areas,” Walsh said.

Prior to the 1995 season, Reilly was a member of the Springfield Pics organization for seven years, beginning as an assistant coach in 1988, becoming co-coach in 1990-91, assistant general manager in 1991-92 and head coach in 1993-94.