WILKES-BARRE, PA (May 6, 2020) – King's College Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Cheryl Ish announced today the appointment of Tom Seravalli as the new King's men's ice hockey head coach. Seravalli will be the second head coach going into the fourth year as an NCAA Division III program.

"We are excited to welcome Tom Seravalli to the King's community," said Ish. "This is an exciting time in Monarch Hockey history, and we are confident that Coach Seravalli will bring the program to new heights. The search committee was immediately impressed with his desire to create a winning culture, mentor our student-athletes while providing a fantastic player experience."

"Several of our players involved in the process were drawn to Seravalli's passion for the game and for his philosophy on player and team development," Ish continued. "We feel confident that with Coach Seravalli's recruiting experience and commitment to the Division III philosophy will translate into new levels of success."

"I am beyond excited to join the King's College community," said Seravalli. "Throughout the last few months, I have been repeatedly impressed with the strategic thinking and leadership of Cheryl Ish and the entire Athletic Department staff.  It is an honor to join them, the coaches and all of our student-athletes as we represent the college on the track, court, field and ice."

"What makes King's College so special is the commitment to the individual success of each student," said Seravalli. "This kind of personal engagement is exactly what I see as the core of the ice hockey program.  King's College is a campus that offers an authentic college atmosphere, an athletic department with resources that provides opportunities for players to achieve and exceed their potential, and an incredible, supportive community in Wilkes Barre and Northeast Pennsylvania."

Seravalli comes to King's College after serving as the top assistant coach at Bryn Athyn College for the past four seasons. During his time at Bryn Athyn, he was involved in helping transition Bryn Athyn from ACHA Club to NCAA Division III. He was responsible for recruiting at BAC, and handled creating practice plans, scouting reports, designing team systems and breaking down film for player development.

Seravalli was responsible from brining players to Bryn Athyn from some of the premier junior programs in North America, including the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), North American Hockey League (NAHL) and Eastern Hockey League (EHL).

Prior to his time with the Lions, Seravalli was an assistant ice hockey coach for the Philadelphia Revolution AAA '04 Warminster, PA from September 2015-September 2016. He helped develop youth players, while executing all practice plans and helping players become goal oriented.

That is not his only on-ice experience, as Seravalli helped as an instructor for the Rochester Americans Youth Camp in Rochester, NY from September 2013 through September 2014. While there he assisted Rochester Americans (AHL) head coach Chad Cassidy with all planning on the ice during the hockey camp.

Before becoming a coach, Seravalli was a three-year standout for the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College during the program's first three seasons in NCAA play. Seravalli played 75 games as a Golden Flyer, scoring 18 goals and assisting on 32 others. He was named as the ECAC West Player of the Week once in 2013. He also played once Division III season with Manhattanville College, and competed for the Columbus Cottonmouths of the SPHL following his career at Nazareth.

Seravalli played his prep ice hockey at Northwood Prep High School in Lake Placid, NY, and also played for the Junior Flyers AAA 18U team of the EHL. While with the Junior Flyers, he was nominated for team captain and was a member of the 2010 National Championship runner-up squad. He played 45 games with the Jr. Flyers, scoring six goals and adding 16 assists.

Seravalli was a 2015 graduate of Nazareth College with a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Finance. "As a student, player and coach, I have been extremely fortunate to have encountered amazing individuals – my family, teachers and coaches – who have shaped who I am today," said Seravalli. "My style is not complicated or flashy:  work hard, be honest and never give up.  We must be transparent with our communication so we can identify areas of improvement and become excellent in areas where we struggle.  We must be humble in our success but take the time to celebrate our achievements." 

"Players will respond positively when there is a supportive, open line of communication that provides feedback and a path of success – and at the end of every practice or game, regardless of the outcome, I want our players leaving the rink knowing they were the hardest working team that night," said Seravalli.

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What They're Saying About Seravalli

"Tom was one of the hardest workers I have ever coached. His work ethic on and off the ice was second to none. He was a GREAT teammate and an outstanding leader. These qualities along with his strong character will carry over as an outstanding coach for the King's College players and community." - Gump Whiteside, Head Coach, Holy Ghost Prep

"Tom at his core is a great person who lives with passion, integrity, and positive outlook on everything.  As a coach he leads by example through his work ethic, attention to detail, and knowledge of the game." - Andrew Burke, Head Coach, Bryn Athyn College

"One of Tom's biggest strengths as a person and coach is that he is relentless in his pursuit to succeed.  He has an infectious energy that his players and recruits will get behind.  Tom is willing to go above and beyond to achieve is goals.  He is a strong communicator and as enthusiasm to open communication that build relationships for years to come.  King's fans can look forward to their coach being energetic, passionate, positive, and demonstrating a consistent ability to find areas of improvement.  Tom is an great person and has a heartfelt love for college hockey." - Jared DeMichiel, Assistant Coach, University of Massachusetts

"I think it's the fresh perspective and fresh start. All of our guys can go into their summer off-season training knowing that a new coach means everyone is on a level playing field. Ice time will be earned and it becomes that extra motivation for each of us. I am very excited by the thoughts Coach Seravalli has shared with us throughout the process and believe that his envisioned style of play will complement the strengths that we currently possess as a team. Not only that, but his dedication to personal and skill development will allow us to hone and refine these current ones and add new skills that will lead to even more wins for King's College in the near future. I am very excited by the addition of Coach Seravalli." - Cameron Anklewich, King's Forward

"I could not be more excited to get the year started.  This is going to be a fresh start for our team in a way.  Coach Seravalli has experience in both coaching and playing at the college level with different teams, which I feel like will only benefit us in both the short and long term.  Everyone is very fired up to get on the ice to learn the new systems that Coach Seravalli has came up with for our team." - Jack O'Neil, King's Defenseman