OSHAWA, Ont. – The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men's hockey team are happy to announce the addition of former player Austin Eastman as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 season.
 
Eastman played three seasons with the Ridgebacks and put up a point-per-game pace during his time with the team. He was also awarded the OUA Most Sportsmanlike Award and was the first men's hockey player to be named an OUA First Team All-Star.  After his Ontario Tech career, Eastman signed with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL.
 
"We are very excited to welcome Austin back to our program and have him join our coaching staff for the upcoming season," said Ridgebacks Head Coach Curtis Hodgins. "Austin was a very offensively gifted and smart hockey player during his three seasons as a Ridgeback, and we look forward to him working with our current group and passing on some of that knowledge. We are all very eager to get going on the 2024-25 season, which is fast approaching."
 
A significant draw for Eastman returning to the Dog Pound was the program's growing pedigree and the relationships within the organization, from the school president to his former teammates. 
 
"Each person within the organization cares a lot about their athletes, and that's what drew me back to the program - to ultimately give back," said Eastman.
 
During his varsity and professional career, Eastman has learned several invaluable lessons that he hopes to transfer to his coaching role.
 
"Being a student-athlete comes with the great responsibility of competing in a busy schedule along with trying to manage your studies, which proves these athletes, regardless of how tired, are committed beyond belief," said Eastman. "Each one of these athletes is striving for the next level, and that motivates me to assist these players in whatever way I can."