The Wausau RiverWolves hockey team has named Tom Murphy as their new head coach.

Murphy, who originates from the greater Detroit area, had been serving as the director of operations and head instructor for The Hockey Lab since 2015. The Hockey Lab is a hockey training center that specializes on individualized on-ice skill development.

Murphy’s past coaching experience includes Ravenwood and Centennial High Schools in Tennessee, Nashville Admirals, Nashville Flyers and Nashville Junior Predators. Coach Murphy has additional hockey experience as a junior hockey scout and private instructor.

Murphy played hockey at Brighton High School, winning the state championship his senior year. He was was drafted in the first round of the NAHL Draft to the Texas Tornado, a team now known the Amarillo Bulls. Following his junior hockey career Murphy played college hockey for Central Michigan University, where he set the program record for points as a defenseman.

“First of all, I would like to thank everyone that has supported me in Nashville and in Michigan,” Murphy said. “I will continue to coach and guide all of the players that I have been involved with to whatever hockey dreams that they would like to pursue. For everyone in the Wausau RiverWolves organization, ownership, and everyone that helped to get this deal finalized, I am beyond grateful. This is an amazing opportunity for everyone involved to push this roster to the next step in their hockey careers. I am beyond excited.”

RiverWolves owner and president Duncan Woodhull said he is excited to add Murphy to the organization.

“His passion for the game is evident the minute you start talking to him,” Woodhull said. “In addition to his coaching and scouting experience Tom has spent the last three years developing programs aimed at improving individual skills. We think that focus on personal skill development in addition to all the normal game strategy and team preparation will really help our players get to the next level in their hockey journey, which is what junior hockey is all about.”

Murphy will replace former head coach Tim Brownell, who announced his departure this month to seek opportunities outside of hockey. Brownell coached the team to a playoff berth in its inaugural season.

“Bring it on,” Murphy said.