Rivier has named former Bruin Tim Schaller of Merrimack a new assistant men's hockey coach. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Former Boston Bruins forward and Merrimack native Tim Schaller has been named an assistant coach for the Rivier men’s ice hockey team, Head Coach Shaun Millerick announced Tuesday.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tim to our program as an assistant coach,” said Millerick, who enters his second season at the helm in 2024-25. “It’s clear he has great passion for the game and is eager to help our student-athletes reach their full potential on and off the ice. His successful playing career speaks for itself and I’m confident he will be able use those experiences and apply them to our program as he transitions to behind the bench.”

Schaller retired from professional hockey in 2023 after 10 seasons playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) and NHL, including stints with the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings. In 293 career games in the NHL, he posted 60 points (30-30-60). He played 355 games in the minors, suiting up in 179 contests for the Rochester Americans.

Prior to his time in the pros, Schaller played four seasons at Providence College until graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Human Sciences. During his senior campaign, he captained a Friars squad that finished 17-14-7. He recorded a career-high 23 points as the team made its second-straight Hockey East semifinal appearance and was named the Hockey East Defensive Forward of the Year.

He joins the Raiders’ staff before the 2024-25 season in which the program will compete for the first time in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC).

“I am very excited to join the coaching staff at Rivier. I can’t wait to share my hockey knowledge and experience with the team,” said Schaller.

Schaller will be behind the bench for the squad’s season-opener at Keene St. on Friday, Nov. 1 as the Raiders look to improve upon its 10 victories in 2023-24, which were the most wins in the program’s three-season history.