Muskegon Lumberjacks hire Steve Palmer as assistant coach
Published: Wednesday, June 01, 2011, 5:59 AM
By Ron Rop | The Muskegon Chronicle
Steve Palmer
The Muskegon Lumberjacks added another assistant coach today with the hiring of Steve Palmer.
Palmer, a 36-year-old native of Missisauga, Ont., will not only be involved in coaching, but recruiting for the United States Hockey League club. Palmer and Dave Noel-Bernier will assist head coach Kevin Patrick this season.
"He'll be involved in a number of areas and having a coach of his caliber on board will help us to do more scouting and build more relationships," Patrick said. "Both of our assistant coaches had great on-ice careers, but they were both excellent students as well. They model the message that we're trying to send to our players about not just being the best on the ice, but also in the classroom and the community."
Palmer played 13 years professionally in Europe, where he had more than 500 points. Most recently, he played 2008-09 with EV Duisburg and Kassel in the German Elite League.
After his playing days, he got right into coaching. Most recently, he was a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Denver during the 2009-10 season. The Pioneers earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament and was ranked fifth in the nation.
"It was a great experience working with that staff and they're coaching and recruiting on an unbelievable level," Palmer said. "There were so many things I learned in one year that I never got to learn in 13 years as a player."
Palmer played collegiately at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. where he was a two-time academic All-American and a Rhodes Scholarship nominee. He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering and management.
He earned a Level 4 coaching certification from USA Hockey and is an on- and off-ice personal trainer.
"I've heard nothing but great things about the Jacks' coaching staff," Palmer said. "Everyone you talk to in college hockey who talks about Coach Patrick has said I've landed in a good spot."
Palmer and his wife, Melissa, have a 2-year-old son, Chase
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