(Duluth, MN - July 12, 2021) -- Duluth East High School officials announced today the hire of Steve Pitoscia as head coach for the Duluth East Boys Hockey program.

Pitoscia brings to the position over 30 years experience as a hockey player, coach and volunteer. His career includes Assistant Coach and Scout for the Omaha Lancers Hockey Club; Head Coach for 16U/18U Teams, Omaha /Mastery AAA Hockey; Assistant Boys Hockey Coach for Duluth East High School and Marshall School; Head Coach for the Duluth East Bantam AA Hockey Club and Coach for Cloquet Bantam AA Hockey Club.

Pitoscia played hockey for Duluth East High School and USA Junior Hockey for the Vail Avalanche and Kings Americans.  His volunteer experience includes Vice President of the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association.

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In a press release (via WDIO), Pitoscia commented on taking the reigns of the East program, saying:

“Being a part of the East Hockey Program has always meant a great deal to me. I am excited and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead it.  I look forward to working hard at maintaining the high standard that Coach Randolph has set for the program over the last three decades.”

Duluth East Activities Director Shawn Roed commented on the hiring (via press release), saying:

“Coach Pitsoscia has an exceptional track record of success at many different levels of hockey and that combined with his passion make him an ideal person to lead the program into the future."

The hiring of Pitoscia fills a vacancy left when long-time head coach Mike Randolph resigned from the Duluth East Hockey program this spring. In a press event following his announcement, Randolph cited a combination of pressure from the parents of some students and a lack of support from the school district as reasons for his resignation.

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