Former Bruin and Merrimack native Tim Schaller will be an assistant boys hockey coach at Bishop Guertin for the 2026-27 season. (Photo courtesy of Bishop Guertin HS)

NASHUA – Tim Schaller is back on the ice.

Merrimack’s Schaller, who had a 276-game National Hockey League career that included a couple of years with the Boston Bruins, was named as an assistant coach at Bishop Guertin High School on Thursday.

Schaller was last seen in local hockey circles as an assistant for one year at Rivier University, the 2024-25 season.

He’ll be new Cards head coach Dan Conley’s right hand man.

“Tim was the first call I made after I was named the hockey coach for Bishop Guertin,” Conley said in a release issued by the school. “His exceptional work ethic and hockey experience are unmatched. I’ve known Tim and his family for years and his character and beliefs align so well with the BG community. He’ll be an asset to our student athletes both on and of the ice.”

Schaller joins a Guertin hockey program that is transitioning from long time head coach Gary Bishop (35 years) and assistant Mark Mantone (27), both of whom announced their retirements two weeks ago. But that certainly didn’t sway him from joining Conley, who was in his role last year as an assistant under Bishop.

“I’ve known the Conley family for nearly my whole life, so I was excited to see Dan become the head coach,” Schaller said. “Bishop Guertinhas always stood out to me as a classy school with a rich hockey history and a reputation for doing things the right way. It was an easy ‘Yes’ for me to join (Conley) behind the bench.”

Schaller began his pro career with the Buffalo Sabres after a successful college career at Providence. He later signed with the Bruins and had his most productive season in 2017-18 with career highs of 12 goals and 10 assists, playing mainly on the fourth line. He played in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Boston, with one goal and two assists.

He left the Bruins as a free agent, signed by Vancouver in 2018, then was traded to Los Angeles. In his eight-season NHL career, Schaller, who also played in 345 AHL games, had 29 goals and 28 assists.

The Cards are the defending Division I champions, beating Concord 1-0 in overtime in the title game. But arguably their best player, defenseman and Telegraph Player of the Year Gavin Santos, is leaving the school to attend Lawrence Academy.

(Bishop Guertin Communications and Marketing Manager Patrick Salvas contributed to this report.)