From Aquinas College Athletics
By Cam Harper
Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas College athletic department is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brandon Rozema as the next head coach of the men’s hockey program. This announcement comes on the heels of Rozema’s all-time great career coming to a close this past season.
“We could not be more happy and proud to announce Brandon Rozema as the next men’s hockey head coach,” said Claudette Charney, the Interim Director of Athletics at Aquinas. “Brandon has a strong passion for both Aquinas and, more importantly, hockey. He wants nothing more than to see Aquinas hockey succeed and he’s going to be a fantastic addition to our coaching staff.”
Rozema comes into the head coach position after concluding a historic career on the ice for AQ. He ended his time at Aquinas with the most all-time points, goals, assists, and games played. Rozema has been the captain on the ice for the Saints for the past two seasons and was an alternate captain the year before. He was announced to All-WHAC teams twice in his career, once in 2019 and again in 2024.
The Grandville native has experienced a lot of success from behind the bench as well. He was an assistant on the Byron Center Varsity Hockey team this past season, helping coach the Bulldogs to their first-ever state championship in 2024. During that time, Rozema coached Jackson Froysland, Michigan’s 2023-24 Mr. Hockey, given to the best high school player in the state of Michigan every year.
“I am very honored and thankful to be named the next head coach of the Aquinas Men’s Hockey program,” stated Rozema. “I look forward to giving this school and program the same passion, energy, and enthusiasm that I had as a player and transforming that into my new role as the head coach. I am very thankful to the hiring committee, Claudette Charney, and the rest of the athletic staff here for giving me the opportunity to coach this program after the program was so good to me here as a player.”
In addition to his time coaching the Bryon Center Bulldogs, Rozema has worked as an assistant for the East Kentwood Falcons varsity team and is a head coach for BRPD 18U teams. BRPD Hockey was founded in 2020 to allow hockey players to compete in the fall and spring around their primary hockey season.
Rozema is the head coach for two 18U teams in West Michigan and coached one of his teams to the 18U State Semifinals in 2023. In his short time with BRPD, Rozema has developed over 40 players to be able to continue playing hockey at the next level and continue their respective careers on the ice.
“The ability to relate to the current-age player is something I take great pride in as a coach,” exclaimed Rozema. “There will be triumphs and letdowns, but the main focus for me is to take pride in the fact that success is not always measured in the wins and losses. It is also measured by the number of players leaving Aquinas with a degree, having a band of brothers to lean on, and a great experience as a hockey player to look back on. Once this culture has been instilled, the on-ice success will follow.”
Hockey has been a lifelong passion for Rozema. He started playing hockey when he was four years old. Prior to his time at Aquinas, he was a two-time all-state selection during his high school career for Grandville. Rozema went on to play for the Evansville Thunderbolts in the NA3HL where he became the Thunderbolts’ all-time leading scorer and was a captain for two years.
“I am extremely thankful for my family supporting me in this decision and to my fiancé, Elizabeth,” Rozema said. “She has spent the last three seasons in an ice arena, home or away, watching me play, helping me with my coaching career, and always being there to pick me up or bring me back down to earth – depending on how that evening’s game went.”
“Thank you to my mom (Heidi), dad (Todd), sister (Ella), and Brother (Gavin), who I have coached for two seasons in BRPD, for their support throughout my entire career. I am also so thankful for the city of Evansville during my time playing there and to my billet family, the Payne’s for taking great care of me and taking care of me and becoming part of my family.”
Rozema is currently finishing his Master’s of Management degree at Aquinas and will graduate from the program in May. He currently lives in Grand Rapids with his wonderful fiancé, Elizabeth as the two prepare for their wedding in August.
(Originally published at https://aqsaints.com/news/2024/4/22/aquinas-announces-brandon-rozema-as-next-mens-hockey-head-coach.aspx)
