TROY, N.Y. -- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head men's hockey coach Seth Appert has been chosen to serve as president of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA).  Appert was selected to the position, which has a three-year term, by a vote of the AHCA membership at their recently concluded convention.

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"I am honored to be chosen to help lead the AHCA," said Appert, who recently concluded his second season with the Engineers.  "This association continues to emphasize and promote all that is great in college athletics and in hockey.  I look forward to helping us continue to move in a positive direction during the next three years." 

"We are thrilled that Seth has agreed to serve in this capacity," said AHCA Executive Director Joe Bertagna.  "His self-confidence and energy will give our organization a boost as we set out to meet the demands of our many constituencies."

Highlights during Appert's first two seasons at RPI include leading the Engineers to two titles in the Governor's Cup Tournament - Rensselaer's first titles of any kind since 1998 - and garnering points against six nationally-ranked opponents. RPI has had a nationally-ranked recruiting class and also enjoyed numerous stints in the national polls, including eight straight weeks this season.  Individually, Rensselaer student-athletes have earned All-League and All-Rookie status as well as having a Student-Athlete of the Year Award finalist.

In addition to his position at RPI, Appert also served as an assistant coach for the 2007 U.S. Under-18 Select Team that competed in the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament from August 14-18 in Piestany, Slovakia and Hodonin, Czech Republic.  He was also a coach in the 2008 NCAA Pontiac Skills Challenge.

 "The AHCA has been a leader in driving positive change in college hockey for many years, and with Seth's passion and leadership skills, he is the perfect person to continue that tradition moving forward," said Rensselaer Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton.

Prior to joining RPI, Appert spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Denver, where he helped the Pioneers to the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Championships.

Appert, the first Rensselaer head coach to serve as AHCA president, succeeds George Gwozdecky, the head coach at Denver, for whom Appert was an assistant for nine years.

Founded in 1947, the AHCA has almost 1,400 members.  Among the responsibilities of the AHCA are working for the NCAA to shape playing rules and to assist in a number of activities during the year.  The AHCA also honors the game through the selection of the RBK Hockey All-American teams, the Coach of the Year honorees at each division and through a number of other awards.