From Aquinas Athletics
By Mitchell Walters
Aquinas College is thrilled to announce the hiring of Kyle Gagneau as the next men’s hockey coach at AQ. Gagneau will be the third head coach in program history, taking over for Jordan Permoda who stepped down this past spring after seven years at the helm. In the 10 years since the men’s hockey team began play at AQ, their overall record is 181-71-4 for a .707 winning percentage. This included an ACHA National Championship in 2016-17 and an NAIA National Championship in 2017-18 under Permoda.
Gagneau has some familiarity with Aquinas already as he has split time in an assistant coach role with the men’s and women’s hockey teams since 2018. In his first year he was with the men’s team as a volunteer and then helped with both teams the following year. He became the full time assistant coach for the women’s team in 2020 and was a part of the team’s most successful season in 2020-21 at a 10-2-1 record.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kyle and his family as a part of the men’s hockey program,” commented Logan Weis, Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations. “He’s been with the hockey programs for several years and has been able to establish great relationships within the hockey community. The timing was right for Kyle to become the next head coach. It became very evident through the hiring process that Kyle’s passion and drive for the game will help lead AQ to success.”
Coupled with his coaching duties, Gagneau is also the owner and head trainer at Gagneau Performance Training in Byron Center. Opening the performance center in 2017, he focuses on designing off ice strength and conditioning programs for all Fox Motors Tier I teams. He also runs on ice training for private and small group sessions for players of all ages as well as hosting summer development camps for junior, college, and professional players. Gagneau also owns and operates All-N-Stride West that teaches skating proficiency.
“I’m excited to take over a team that has a history of success both on the ice and in the classroom,” said coach Gagneau. “I look forward to being able to continue that tradition and adding to it. I believe that the values and beliefs I want to instill in these young men will create a culture that will benefit the team during their time at Aquinas, in their future careers, and within the greater hockey community.”
Being in the personal training industry for 10 years now, Gagneau began his career in 2012 with Elevation Hockey in East Lansing. From 2012-17, he led all skill and skating development for the Lansing Hockey Club and Meijer AAA Hockey teams as well as their strength and conditioning programs.
Gagneau also added, “I work with hockey players every day from youth to professional levels. I am excited to bring a mix of coaching styles and information that I have picked up over the years working with some great coaches that include Carrie Keil, Brad Fast, Kevin Miller, Jordan Permoda, and Lisa Brown-Miller.”
Attending college at Michigan State, Gagneau graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, specializing in health promotions and fitness leadership in 2012. He is a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and also has continued education specializations in performance enhancement, corrective exercise, and nutrition.
(Originally published at https://aqsaints.com/news/2022/7/22/mens-ice-hockey-kyle-gagneau-tapped-to-run-aq-mens-hockey-program.aspx)
