Duluth East High School hires new boys hockey coach

Duluth East has a new head coach for the boys hockey team. The school district announced Monday Steve Pitoscia will lead the program.

Pitoscia has over 30 years experience as a hockey player, coach and volunteer. He played hockey for Duluth East and in USA Juniors for the Vail Avalanche and Kings Americans. He has also volunteered in the role of Vice President for the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association.

His coaching career has included teams in Duluth, Cloquet, and Omaha.

“Being a part of the East Hockey Program has always meant a great deal to me,” Pitoscia said in a press release. “I am excited and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead it. I look forward to working hard at maintaining the high standard that Coach Randolph has set for the program over the last three decades.”

He said most importantly, he’s looking forward to working with the players.

“Coach Pitsoscia has an exceptional track record of success at many different levels of hockey and that combined with his passion make him an ideal person to lead the program into the future," Shawn Roed, Activity Director for Duluth East, said in the release.

Coach Mike Randolph resigned in June, citing pressure from parents and a lack of support from the district.