College hockey's longest-tenured coach makes first trip to Grand Forks

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Jan. 1—GRAND FORKS — Rick Gotkin started coaching Mercyhurst in 1988.

There are not many places he hasn't visited or teams he hasn't coached against.

But North Dakota is one.

Gotkin, the longest-tenured coach in college hockey, will coach against UND for the first time at 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

It comes in his 38th and final season at the helm. Gotkin is stepping down at the end of the season and associate coach Tom Peffall is taking over.

"I am super excited," Gotkin said. "We're going to an iconic venue, one of the best programs in the history of the game. It's a great college hockey hotbed — the fans, the building. This is going to be a treat for our guys. It really is. Our guys are excited. We're going to have our hands full."

Gotkin has coached against more than 50 different Division-I teams, including a handful that are now defunct. There are only 10 current Division-I teams he hasn't coached against — and most are newcomers to college hockey like Long Island, Lindenwood and Stonehill.

Only five were Division-I programs when he started at Mercyhurst (UND, Boston University, Providence, Northern Michigan and Harvard).

"There are not a lot of buildings I haven't been to," Gotkin said. "I haven't been to Grand Forks. I get to check that off the list. Dane (Jackson) and his staff are great people. (Deputy athletic director) Erik Martinson is a friend of mine, having him on the Rules Committee."

Gotkin's run at Mercyhurst is uncommon in college athletics today.

Of the 2,042 Division-I coaches in men's hockey, women's hockey, men's basketball, women's basketball, FBS football, FCS football, volleyball, softball and baseball, only three have been at their schools longer — Oakland men's basketball coach Greg Kampe, UConn women's basketball coach Gino Auriemma and Sam Houston State volleyball coach Brenda Gray.

Stephen F. Austin volleyball coach Debbie Humphreys is tied with Gotkin.

UND's coaching and administrative staff members hold Gotkin in high regard, and that's one reason they wanted to get Mercyhurst to Grand Forks.

"I've gotten to know Rick Gotkin and his wife, Diane, over the years going down to Florida (for the national convention)," said Jackson, UND's first-year head coach. "He is one of the sharpest, nicest guys I've met in the game. His humility and the way he treats everybody is incredible."

Martinson worked on the NCAA Rules Committee for three years alongside Gotkin.

"Rick Gotkin is a true legend in college hockey, but even more than that, he's one of the kindest people you'll ever meet," Martinson said. "I'm so thankful for the guidance he's given me, starting with our time on the NCAA Rules Committee and continuing through all the moments we've shared in this tight-knit hockey world."

Martinson said Gotkin has worked behind the scenes to improve college hockey beyond his own campus in Erie, Pa.

"Rick's impact goes far beyond wins and losses," Martinson said. "He's shaped the game and the people in it. His incredible run at Mercyhurst speaks to his passion and dedication. A heartfelt thank you to Rick and his wife, Diane, for everything they've done to make hockey better for all of us."

Friday's game will be the first meeting between the programs.

Mercyhurst is one of just seven programs UND has never played against.

The others are Bentley (scheduled in 2026-27), UConn, RIT, Sacred Heart, Long Island and Stonehill. UND played Augustana in an exhibition game and will play the Vikings in the regular season in 2027-28.

"Excited to host (Mercyhurst) in our rink," Jackson said. "Rick's never been here, so it will be a cool experience for us to host him. I just appreciate the person he is. He's such a gentleman and a sharp person. We're excited to go to battle with them."

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