Fisher Athletics Welcomes Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coaches

The St. John Fisher University Athletics Department has named Reid Lesswing head coach of men’s ice hockey and Scott McDonald will take the helm as head coach of women’s ice hockey. The University announced the addition of intercollegiate men’s and women’s hockey teams earlier this year broadening its total number of athletic teams competing in the NCAA Division III to 26.

“We are excited to welcome Reid and Scott to our roster of talented and committed coaches at Fisher. We are thrilled that they will serve as the inaugural head coaches for our men’s and women’s hockey programs, and look forward what they will bring to the University; their experience and enthusiasm, and most importantly, their support of our student-athletes,” said Jose Perales, vice president for enrollment management.

Lesswing comes to Fisher from SUNY Plattsburgh, where he has served as the assistant coach of men’s hockey and operations manager since 2019. Under his leadership, the team finished this last season with a 21-5-2 record. Prior to his time at Plattsburgh, he was the assistant coach of men’s hockey for SUNY Fredonia, Castleton University, and for Team South Africa IIHF Division 3. Professionally, he played for the Louisiana Ice Gators in 2014.

A collegiate athlete himself, Lesswing was a member of the Castleton University men’s ice hockey team as an undergraduate student, competing in the NCAA Division III ECAC East Conference. He was selected as team captain in his senior year.

He has been recognized with the SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year Award and most recently, his team ended the season as the USCHO #8 ranked team in DIII.

Lesswing is a two-time graduate of Castleton University, where he earned a B.S. in Business Management and a M.S. in Athletic Administration.

“I am excited to join the St. John Fisher community and begin building a hockey program that aligns with the success that St. John Fisher Athletics is known for,” said Lesswing. “To be named the first coach of the men’s varsity hockey team is a tremendous honor for me. I certainly would not be in this position without the support of other coaches that have mentored me throughout my coaching career. I am thankful for this opportunity to develop our players into leaders in the community as well as student-athletes both on and off the ice. I am excited to take on this new challenge and bring St. John Fisher hockey to the spotlight.”

McDonald joins Fisher after three years as the player development coach of the Bishop Kearney Selects Girls Hockey Program. In addition, he is owner/leader of Maverick Hockey Development, where he designs custom hockey development programs for all Rochester Area youth hockey organizations.

Prior to his time at Bishop Kearney, McDonald served as the head women’s ice hockey coach at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) from 2006-2018, where his 12-year overall record was 205-154-29. He led the team to the Division III Women’s Ice Hockey National Championship, where the team clinched the title in 2012. In addition, the team had four NCAA Tournament appearances, and achieved two Division I CHA Playoff Conference Championships, two Division III ECAC West Playoff Conference Championships, and three Division III ECAC West Regular Season Titles. In 2009 and 2011 respectively, McDonald was named Conference Coach of the Year, and in 2011 and 2012, he was named National Coach of the Year Runner-Up.

Between 2003-2006, McDonald served as the assistant coach of the men’s Division I ice hockey team at RIT, which at the time competed in the Atlantic Hockey Association, and as assistant coach of the men’s Division III team, competing in the ECAC West. He also served as assistant coach of men’s ice hockey at Utica University for one year.

Professionally, McDonald played for the San Angelo Outlaws in San Angelo, Texas, and the IK Viking club in the Swedish Professional League. McDonald is a graduate of Niagara University where he was a member of the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey team through his undergraduate career. 

“I am truly humbled and honored to be the first head coach of the St. John Fisher University women's hockey program. The culture and commitment the Athletic Department has is second to none. I’m extremely grateful to be joining this staff and begin building our hockey program from the ground up within their standards,” said McDonald. “Fisher’s strong academic and athletic programs will give us the opportunity to quickly build our program into a perennial contender and challenge teams, not only in the UCHC, but nationally. Rochester has an amazing hockey community that is only getting stronger with the addition of both men’s and women’s hockey.”

To learn more about Fisher Athletics, visit www.sjfathletics.com.