NMU Sports

Potulny signs five-year deal with NMU

MARQUETTE -- It was a long process to get to this point, but everything is now squared away for Grant Potulny to become the new Northern Michigan University head hockey coach.

Potulny has signed a five-year deal with a salary of $196,100 per year. His contract was finalized Monday and the details were released to the media Friday afternoon.

Potulny's deal that puts him fifth on the list of the 10 WCHA coaching base salaries. According to a list of salaries for the 2015-16 season provided by BGSUHockey.com, Minnesota State's Mike Hastings is at the top with $290,000 followed by Michigan Tech's Mel Pearson ($275,000), a tie for third between Bemidji State's Tom Serratore and Alaska-Anchorage's Matt Thomas ($200,000), followed by Potulny and Bowling Green State's Chris Bergeron ($185,000).

"Grant's compensation package is in the middle of the WCHA," NMU athletic director Forrest Karr said. "He will also be eligible for annual salary increases commensurate with other non-represented employees."

In regard to bonuses, Potulny has nine earning opportunities that when combined together total $65,500. A national championship earns him another $20,000; a Frozen Four appearance is $15,000, a NCAA regional final appearance is $10,000, an NCAA Tournament bid $5,000, a WCHA Tournament title is $5,000, a WCHA regular season title is $5,000 and a top four finish in the conference and hosting a playoff series is $2,500.

Also if Potulny is named WCHA Coach of the Year, he gets a bonus of $2,500 and if the overall team GPA is 3.25 or higher, he gets another $500.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.