(LEBANON, Ill., May 4)—McKendree University director of athletics Chuck Brueggemann announced on Thursday that Derek Pallardy has been named as the head coach for the women's hockey program for the Bearcats.
 
Pallardy is no stranger to McKendree as he has served as a member of the men's hockey coaching staff since 2015. Pallardy originally joined the Bearcats as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before being elevated to the head coaching position for the McKendree American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 3 program last fall.
 
"Derek has made great contributions to our men's hockey program, and we know he will do the same as he takes the reigns of our women's hockey team," said Brueggemann. "He played the game at a high level, and the knowledge and instincts he gained during his career have helped mold him as a coach. Derek has shown he can recognize and recruit highly-skilled student-athletes, and we are looking forward to watching him shape the future success of our women's hockey program."
 
A veteran of the professional hockey ranks, Pallardy spent time as a forward/defenseman for the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). In his final season with Columbus, Pallardy registered six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. He also played professionally with the Missouri Mavericks of the Central Hockey League and the Knoxville Ice Bears of the SPHL.
 
Pallardy played his collegiate hockey at NCAA Division I Merrimack College, where he was a four-year member of the Warriors' program. He served as team captain during his senior season. Pallardy graduated from Merrimack in 2008.
 
Before his arrival at McKendree, Pallardy served as an assistant coach for both the Chaminade College Prep hockey team as well as the St. Louis AAA Blues. During his time at Chaminade, Pallardy was the team's director of skill development along with his assistant coaching duties. With the AAA Blues, Pallardy helped guide the program to a top-10 ranking in the nation.
 
During that time, Pallardy also worked with Synergy Hockey. There, he excelled as a skill development coach, a power skating and summer camp instructor while also serving as an on- and off-ice program consultant. In 2013-14, Pallardy worked for Northern Edge Elite Hockey Schools. Prior to that, he was a clinician and instructor for the Columbus (Ga.) Hockey Association, where he lent his expertise in skill development of youth players.
 
"I'm very happy to have this chance to serve as the McKendree women's hockey coach," said Pallardy. "The commitment from the University to the hockey program has been unbelievable. There's a great opportunity to make McKendree University a premier program in all of college hockey. That's the goal and I'm excited to be a part of it. I look forward to bringing student-athletes to our program and University who will have that commitment to work hard on the ice and in the classroom to help us achieve that goal."
 
Pallardy takes over a McKendree women's hockey program that played its inaugural season in 2016-17. The Bearcats recorded 10 victories during its first season of play, including three at the new McKendree Metro Rec Plex, which opened in January.