Hall of Fame
John Horan is credited with taking a fledgling Potsdam College hockey program and turning it into a solid NCAA Division III competitor. As the second coach in Potsdam College hockey history, Horan holds all the school coaching records and has 108 wins to his credit.
Horan graduated from Providence in 1974 where he played Division I hockey. He then served as assistant hockey coach for Potsdam under Dave MacLennan. Horan was appointed head coach in 1978 after MacLennan’s retirement, and soon led the Bears to four consecutive Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournaments and two State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) tournaments. In 1982 his squad defeated top seeded Oswego 6-5 in overtime at the SUNYAC Tournament on Oswego’s home ice. Six of the 10 years under Horan’s leadership resulted in post-season play for the team.
Horan produced Potsdam’s only three hockey All-Americans during his 10-year career: Brian Bell and Dave Palmisano in 1985, and Howie Vandermast in 1987. Vandermast and Chuck Callahan were professional hockey draft picks. Horan’s peers recognized his outstanding coaching ability and voted him SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 1983, 1984 and 1986. In 1984, he also earned New York Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year accolades.
Off the ice, Horan served two years on the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, and three years as NCAA Tournament Site Director. He also served as president of the ECAC Coaches Advisory Committee. In addition to his duties as hockey coach, Horan served as Assistant Director of Residence Life for Potsdam College.
Horan is still active in communicating his hockey kills to area youth. He founded the Potsdam College Skate for Power program, the forerunner of the current Back to Basics program and has been an instructor since its interception. Horan has also served as coaching director for Massena Minor Hockey in Massena, N.Y., where he lives with is wife, Gloria, and their sons, John, Jr., Kevin and Patrick.
