Local Sports

NMU hockey names Harris director of operations

MARQUETTE -- Head coach Dave Shyiak and the hockey team at Northern Michigan University have hired R.J. Harris as director of hockey operations.

"I'm honored to join such an incredible program and beautiful community," said Harris, who joins the Wildcats from the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL professional minor hockey league. "I'm excited to make the jump into college and help develop our young future stars."

Harris became equipment manager and assistant director of hockey operations in July 2025 for the Heartlanders, an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League and the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League. The Heartlanders were Harris' first position in the pro ranks after spending two seasons with the Tri-City Storm of the U.S. Hockey League in Tier I junior hockey from 2023-25.

Before that, the Elmer, New Jersey, native worked as a supervisor at specialty hockey retailer Pure Hockey. Harris is a graduate of the Rowan College in New Jersey and played two seasons of junior hockey in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League with the Hudson Crusaders.

NMU opens its 50th season of hockey at its home Berry Events Center with a banner-raising ceremony to honor 1970s-80s stars Don Waddell, Tom Laidlaw and Steve Bozek in the season opener against Miami (Ohio) at 7:07 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.