The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey program is pleased to announce that Mike Zigomanis has been hired as an assistant coach, effective August 20. Zigomanis will be joining head coach Ryan Medel and full-time assistant coach Andrew Dovey behind the bench this season. 
 
"We are extremely excited to have Mike join our coaching staff and contribute on a daily basis," said Medel. "He has an impressive professional career and has played in some great organizations. He also has a passion to help players develop their game. We want to continue to grow and develop as a program and that applies to both our coaching staff and our student-athletes. Mike has lots to offer and he will be a great addition for us."
 
Zigomanis played nine years of professional hockey, including stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh, helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2008-09. Overall, he tallied 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points in 197 NHL games.
 
During that time, the Toronto native also suited up for the Lowell Lock Monsters, Peoria Rivermen, San Antonio Rampage and Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), racking up 155 goals and 287 assists for 442 points in 574 career games. Zigomanis won the Yanick Dupre AHL Man of the Year award for community service in 2012-13.
 
Since his retirement from the game in 2014, Zigomanis has spent the last two seasons as a skills coach for minor and junior hockey players in the Toronto area.
 
"I'm looking forward to working with the players on skill development next season," said Zigomanis. "I will share my experience as a player to help them advance their careers on and off the ice. I'm hoping to assist the team improve on last year's accomplishments, with a focus on special teams."
 
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