News

South Kent School is excited and proud to announce the appointment of Jamie Russell as Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach of the 18U team. Coach Russell has extensive experience over the last 25 years as a coach, director, and manager at the NCAA Division I and in pro hockey.

Head of School Lawrence Smith ’73 said, “The hiring of Jamie Russell is a game changer for us. Having someone with Jamie’s background, experience, and high character makes South Kent stand out even more in the world of hockey; there is no other school and hockey program that can do what we do in providing excellence in education in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community. Jamie is an educator of the highest moral standards who will set a tremendous example for all the boys at South Kent while leading our hockey program.”

The native of Kamloops, BC started his career as Assistant Coach at Ferris State University (1994-1999) and then at Cornell University (1999-2003). He returned to his alma mater and spent eight seasons at Michigan Tech as Head Coach (2003-2011) and was named the 2007 WCHA Coach of the Year. Russell also spent three seasons at Providence College (2011-2014) as Assistant Coach. He went on to become the Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL (2014-2016). Most recently, Russell served as General Manager and Head Coach of the Worcester Railers Hockey Club of the ECHL (2016-2019) where he oversaw all elements of hockey operations including coaching, recruiting, negotiations with the New York Islanders and Bridgeport Sound Tigers affiliates, media, and community outreach.

Before starting his coaching career, Coach Russell played collegiate hockey at Michigan Tech where he was assistant captain, winner of the Outstanding Leadership Award, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He played professionally in both the ECHL and AHL after his NCAA career and has also earned a Master of Business Administration from Lake Superior State University. 

Russell had this to say about leading the South Kent Selects Academy program, "My family and I are so excited to become part of the South Kent School community. We will make the hockey program a destination of choice for student athletes who want to combine high end academics with an elite hockey experience. Our staff will develop people to be their absolute best on and off the ice. We will prepare our student athletes for success in the classroom, on the ice and for the life experiences that lie ahead in college and beyond.”

Director of Athletics, Owen Finberg commented, “I’m extremely excited to have Coach Russell lead our hockey program. We have made another tremendous hire in the leadership of our athletic department, and I have no doubt that he has the ability and character to help us live into the school’s mission. I look forward to working with him as we mentor young coaches and help mold our student-athletes into thoughtful and engaged young men.”

South Kent School would like to warmly welcome Coach Russell, his wife Linda, and their three sons (Ben, Charlie, and Graeme) to the Hillside.

This appointment has come after an extensive national search led by SKS Trustee Alex Thomson ’78, US Board Member and Head of the US Financial Services Practice at the Boston and New York based executive search firm, Odgers Berndtson.

South Kent School's South Kent Selects Academy is uniquely positioned to welcome all our families back on campus August 24th and for our student-athletes to return to training and competition. Guided by state health mandates and regulations, as soon as school starts, our players will begin daily strength and conditioning workouts, skill sessions, team practices, scrimmages and our USA Hockey Tier I AAA schedule. We are currently making ice at our private, on campus Admiral James and Sybil Stockdale Arena. Our two full-time athletic trainers, two full-time nurses, and school doctor have worked closely with our administration and government and health officials to be prepared for all necessary health protocols.