Portland, ME – Maine native Kevin Swallow is making the jump from assistant coach to head coach.

Swallow was named the head coach of the Nichols College men’s ice hockey team on Monday.

The Peru, Maine native spent last year as an assistant coach at Division III powerhouse Neumann College where they finished the season with a 15-8-3 record.

“I am very pleased to have coach Swallow join our staff,” said Nichols College Director of Athletics Charlie Robert in a team press release. “Kevin’s experience as player and coach, along with his passion for coaching, are a great fit for Nichols College. We are looking forward to a very exciting 2012-2013 season.”

Swallow spent two seasons as a member of Team USA at the Under-18 World Championship team including 2004 when the US captured a Silver Medal in Belarus. He later played for the Chicago Steel of the USHL before enrolling at Dartmouth College.

In 2006, he helped guide Dartmouth to an ECAC Regular Season Championship and the 2007 Ivy League title before transferring to the Black Bears. Swallow was a member of the Black Bears squad that reached the Hockey East Championship games in 2010. He finished his collegiate career with 45 points (14g, 31a) in 121 games.

Swallow graduated Maine with a bachelor of science in business management.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” said Swallow in a prepared statement, who takes over a Bison program that posted a 12-13-2 record (9-4-1 ECAC) last season. “Nichols has a very rich tradition and is a program on the upswing. Coach (Lou) Izzi did a great job bringing the program to the next level, and I am excited to continue to build on the foundation he set and take the program to even higher heights.”

“I want our student-athletes to receive the total package, and by that I mean obtain success both on the ice as well as in the classroom,” said Swallow. “Our students-athletes will get a great education here at Nichols, be contributing members of the community, and enjoy their experience playing hockey.”

Before his appointment at Neumann, Swallow gained coaching experience at the USA Hockey NTDP Summer Camp (2003-05), Walker Ice and Fitness Center (2004-06), Global Hockey (2007), UMaine hockey camp (2008), and USA Hockey Select Festivals (2012). He also has international recruiting experience with the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), North American Hockey League (NAHL), Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), and Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).