WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University Director of Athletics Addy Malatesta has announced the hiring of Earl Utter as head coach of the school's new NCAA Division III women's ice hockey program.
 
On August 29, 2016 Wilkes University President Dr. Patrick Leahy announced the addition of both men's and women's ice hockey programs with each sport to open competition in 2018-19. The hiring of Utter will allow him to have a full year of recruiting in order for Wilkes to prepare for its first season of competition.
 
"I would like to thank everyone involved in the hiring process and look forward to collaborating with the entire Wilkes University team to build an ice hockey program that reflects the values of the University," said Utter. "The challenge of starting a new program was the initial draw for me as I was impressed with the beautiful campus setting and the number of majors Wilkes has to offer," he added.
 
Utter comes to Wilkes following a nine-year stint as the women's ice hockey head coach at SUNY Cortland. He led his team to two straight ECAC West playoff appearances in 2014-15 and 2015-16 where the Red Dragons combined for 19 wins.
 
Prior to his time at Cortland, Utter enjoyed a highly successful run as the men's ice hockey coach at Morrisville State from 1997-2007. He compiled an overall record of 177-60-13 at Morrisville and led the program in its transition from the junior college to NCAA Division III ranks. He guided the Mustangs to four National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national titles, including three straight from 2004-06 and four in five years, and was named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year three times.
 
"A new hockey tradition begins at Wilkes University in the fall of 2018," said Dr. Paul Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs. "We're delighted to have as experienced a head coach as Earl Utter lead our women's team during our first season."
 
Utter was also chosen as the Eastern Junior College Hockey League (EJCHL) Coach of the Year on three occasions. His players earned 11 All-America honors along with numerous all-league and all-region awards. Off the ice, his players earned 10 NJCAA Academic All-America and Academic All-Region honors. He was inducted into Morrisville's Wall of Fame in 2015.
 
Prior to Morrisville, Utter spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Division I Cornell University where he was a part of two ECAC Championships and one Ivy League Championship. He has also coached in the North American Hockey League and at the high school and youth levels.
 
Both Wilkes ice hockey teams will call the Toyota SportsPlex at Coal Street Park home for practices and games thanks to the University's partnership with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins organization. "When I toured the Toyota SportsPlex I was overwhelmed with the hospitality from the Penguin representatives and their willingness to assist the Wilkes ice hockey programs," said Utter.
 
In the summer, Utter has worked for USA Hockey as an instructor at National Player Development camps and as a lecturer in the USA Hockey Coaching Development programs. He has worked with coaching staffs of two Under-22 national women's teams.
 
"I enjoy being a positive influence in the lives of young people," Utter explained. "Mentoring student-athletes as they bridge the gap from high school into adulthood is an awesome responsibility and a truly rewarding experience that I hope to provide to our Wilkes student-athletes," he added.
 
Utter earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education from SUNY Brockport in 1991 and earned his master's degree from Western Michigan University in 1994.