Jack Capuano will join the previously-announced Brad Shaw and Dan Bylsma as assistants on Steve Stirling's coaching staff. This month Capuano served as the head coach of the 2005 U.S. Under-18 Select Team at the Five Nations Cup in Piestany, Slovakia and is highly regarded throughout USA Hockey.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with Jack," said Stirling, who (unsuccessfully) recruited the future All-American when Stirling was at Providence College and Capuano was a high schooler in New England. "He brings a lot of experience as a player, coach and manager and he really impressed us with his passion and knowledge during the interview process.

In Brad Shaw, Dan Bylsma and now Jack, we have a young, energetic staff that's going to be very valuable to our team."

Capuano has been with the ECHL's Pee Dee Pride since 1997-98. During his time in Pee Dee, which included several stints behind the bench while he was also general manager, the Pride posted a record of 312-206-52. In 1998-99, Capuano coached Pee Dee to a regular season record of 51-15-4 and to the ECHL Final.

The Rhode Island native began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks of the ECHL in 1995 following a playing career that included brief stints with the Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1988-89 he played 14 games for the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Springfield. The former first-team All-American captained the University of Maine to a Hockey East championship and NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 1988.