The University of Vermont Athletic Department has relieved men’s ice hockey team head coach Todd Woodcroft of his duties in the wake of an investigation about inappropriate text messages he allegedly sent to a student at the school.
Woodcroft, 50, had served as the head coach of the Vermont Catamounts since the 2020–21 season. He is the older brother of current Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft.
In a statement published on Tuesday, the University of Vermont Athletic Department announced that Steve Wiedler would serve as interim head coach of the men’s ice hockey team for the 2023–24 season.
UVM Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman also released a statement on Tuesday afternoon:
“The University of Vermont Athletic Department has high expectations for the conduct of our coaches and all involved with our department. After reviewing the findings of an investigation conducted by UVM’s Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity that was completed this week, it is clear that Coach Woodcroft failed to meet those expectations,” Schulman said. “The specific conduct leading to the investigation involved inappropriate text messages with a UVM student on multiple occasions that failed to maintain professional boundaries.
“Earlier today, I met with the Men’s Hockey team to inform them of my decision and to introduce Steve Wiedler as interim head coach for the 2023-24 season. The team and I have tremendous confidence in Coach Wiedler’s ability to successfully lead our program. He has played a major role in the recruitment and development of our current players and will step into this important role with the full support of our team and his Athletic Department colleagues.”
During his tenure at UVM, Woodcroft worked for the Swedish National Team as a coach at two World Junior Championships, winning bronze as an assistant coach at the 2022 tournament. Before joining the Catamounts in 2020, Woodcroft spent two decades in the NHL in various roles with the Minnesota Wild, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, and Winnipeg Jets.
Woodcroft’s attorney, Andrew Miltenberg, shared a statement with The Athletic‘s Katie Strang on Tuesday afternoon:
“We vehemently disagree with the process and the findings of a proceeding that lacked fundamental fairness and due process,” Miltenberg said. “We strongly believe the University’s decision was contrary to the facts and the law. We intend to pursue justice for Mr. Woodcroft, who has been an outstanding coach and community advocate for over two decades.”
The Catamounts finished the 2022–23 season, Woodcroft’s last as head coach, with a record of 11 wins, 20 losses, and five ties in 36 games.
More must-reads: