TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Director of Athletics Dr. Lee McElroy has named Bryan Vines the interim head women's ice hockey coach. Vines was an assistant coach for the Engineers' men's hockey team for the last eight seasons.

"Bryan is a total professional who brings extensive hockey knowledge and leadership to our women's ice hockey program," said McElroy. "He is a tremendous teacher and coach, who will provide our student-athletes with a passionate and successful experience."

"I am very excited to work with the women's hockey team this coming season," said Vines. "I would like to thank Dr. Jackson and Dr. McElroy for the opportunity to stay at RPI and help continue to build the program with Jake and Christie. We have a wonderful staff and a great group of players and I can't wait to get started. I am very familiar with the team and we will be looking to make the transition as smooth as possible, so we can have a successful year in the classroom and on the ice."

A four-year letter winner on defense at the University of Denver, he was in charge of the Engineers' defensive and penalty killing units since 2009-10. Before coaching the men's team, Vines served as assistant general manager and assistant coach with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League.

Prior to joining the Bulldogs, he was a volunteer assistant coach with Miami (Ohio), where he helped in all aspects of practice, including planning and on-ice instruction, for the national runner-up RedHawks. He worked extensively with the defensemen and forwards in skill development and video teaching sessions. He also directed community service activities and taught four courses.

Vines spent three years with the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL as a video coach. In that role he was responsible for video analysis, creating scouting reports, producing instructional videos and providing on-ice support.

As a student-athlete with the Pioneers, Vines captained the team in the 2001-02 season when they won the WCHA regular season championship, the playoff championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. He was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award — the third of his career — as well as the Most Inspirational Player Award and the Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year for all DU student-athletes.

A multiple WCHA All-Academic selection, Vines graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with an emphasis in public relations. He went on to play in both the WCHL and the ECHL, winning a title in the former.

The Engineers went 10-24-2 overall last season with a 7-14-1 mark in ECAC Hockey play, qualifying for the league tournament as the eighth seed before falling to eventual National Champions Clarkson in the quarterfinals.