Todd Woodcroft was announced as the fifth head coach in Vermont men’s hockey history on April 15, 2020 by Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman. Woodcroft spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets and has built an impressive twenty year resume both in the NHL and international hockey community.
"It is with great pride that I accept the position of head coach of the men's ice hockey team at the University of Vermont,” said Woodcroft. “I would like to thank President Garimella and Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman for leading a thorough search and for this opportunity. I am extremely humbled and very honored to lead the Catamounts. From day one, our fans can expect a program that will emphasize excellence in the classroom, service to the community and a team that will compete in every game and ultimately at a championship level.”
“Together, the student-athletes, coaches and staff will work every day to make our University, our alumni, our community and our state proud,” Woodcroft continued. “I am well aware of the special connection the hockey program has to the people of Vermont and that I am following in the footsteps of three highly respected leaders in Coach Cross, Coach Gilligan and Coach Sneddon. It is my privilege to continue this storied tradition.”
Prior to his time with the Jets, Woodcroft spent three seasons with the Calgary Flames as the team’s Scouting Director and professional scout. His extensive scouting background includes spending four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings from 2009-2013 as their primary European scout, winning the Stanley Cup in 2012. Woodcroft’s NHL teams include the Minnesota Wild, the Washington Capitals, the Los Angeles Kings, the Calgary Flames and the Winnipeg Jets.
Woodcroft has also been successful on the international stage, coaching in six IIHF World Championships, winning a Gold Medal two times (Team Canada 2004 / Team Sweden 2017). In 2016, Woodcroft was as an assistant coach with Sweden in the World Cup of Hockey which Woodcroft has said has been a highlight of his professional career. Furthermore, Woodcroft spent a year in the KHL as an Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel for Dynamo Minsk and has consulted for multiple international federations across the globe.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Woodcroft earned his bachelor's degree from McGill University in 1995 and continued his academic pursuit with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto in 1996.