APPLETON, Wis. -- Brett Wall is the new leader of the Lawrence University men's hockey team.
    Lawrence Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Christyn Abaray today announced Wall's hiring as the ninth head coach in program history.
    "I'm extremely excited and honored," Wall said. "To coach at the NCAA level and to be at an institution with this type of academic reputation is an amazing opportunity."
    Wall comes to Lawrence from the Hudson (Wis.) Havoc of the United States Premier Hockey League. He has served as the Havoc's head coach and general manager since the team joined the USPHL in 2017.
    "We're excited to have Brett onboard. Out of a talented pool, Brett's knowledge and enthusiasm, vision for success and commitment to athletics in the liberal arts environment stood apart," Abaray said. "We look forward to what is in store for Lawrence men's ice hockey." 
    A native of Dayton, Ohio, the 32-year-old Wall has led all aspects of the Havoc since the team's inception. Wall has sent 22 players to NCAA institutions since the 2018-19 season while the team enjoyed great success. The Havoc were regular season and playoff division champions in the 2019-20 season after finishing tied atop of the Midwest-West Division in the 2018-19 season.
    After posting a franchise record 36 wins during the 2020-21 season, the Havoc make its second national championship tournament appearance in three seasons in 2021-22. 
    Wall said his first priority at Lawrence will be the student-athletes.
    "I want to get established with the current players and get connected with the players coming in," said Wall, noting that he also is looking forward to building a relationship with the hockey alumni. Having grown up watching hockey at the University of Miami (Ohio), Wall said he knows how critical having a great alumni group is to the team's success.
    "I want people leaving Lawrence knowing that they leave a piece of themselves behind and knowing that they can always come back and call this home," Wall said. 
    The Lawrence community and the city of Appleton pulled Wall in when he visited during the interview process. Wall was familiar with the area as he was recruited to attend Lawrence and play for the Vikings.
    "I love the community, and I love the area," Wall said. "I love the downtown vibe and the campus."
    Wall opted to play NCAA Division I hockey at Lake Superior State University and graduated in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in sports and recreation management with minors in business and sports marketing. Wall went on to play professional hockey for the Dayton Demonz of the Federal Hockey League where the team won the league championship. He then transitioned to the role of player/assistant coach when the Dayton Demolition replaced the Demonz. Wall later played with the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League for the 2016-17 season before taking over coaching and general manager duties with the Havoc.
    "I'm coming in with my foot on the gas. I want to build with what we have and move forward," Wall said. "I want people who will be elite in our program, elite in the classroom and elite in our community. I want to make sure we are doing everything right from the get-go."
    Wall takes over the Lawrence team from Mike Szkodzinski, who stepped away from the program after guiding the Vikings for 16 seasons and compiling a record of 147-233-35.