Pearl stayed loyal to HC.

PositionSports

During his four-year playing career and for 19 seasons as head coach, Paul Pearl represented the Holy Cross men's ice hockey program with class and charisma. His loyalty to his alma mater and his love for his teams was undeniable, and eight years ago when the Crusaders beat Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament, he deservedly became part of one of the greatest moments in Holy Cross sports history.

After dedicating almost half of his life to Holy Cross, the 47-year-old Pearl decided this week he was ready for a different challenge.

Pearl is leaving Holy Cross to become the associate head coach on Ted Donato's Harvard staff. Pearl resigned his HC position Friday morning.

"I've had an unbelievable run at Holy Cross, and I loved every minute of it,'' Pearl said. "Now is the time for me to try something new.''

Pearl has known Donato, who won an NCAA championship with Harvard as a player and just completed his 10th season as the Crimson coach, for years. A spot on the Crimson staff became available when assistant Albie O'Connell left to join the Boston University staff earlier this month.

"It's a great opportunity for me and my family,'' Pearl said. "There's a chance to win a national championship there every year. It's a great opportunity to be part of it all.''

Pearl and his wife, Karen, and their children, Robert and Katheryn, live in Wakefield.

Harvard went 10-17-4 last season and lost to Yale in the first round of the ECAC Championship. Harvard has not won more than 13 games since 2007-08 (17-13-4), but there are some exciting things going on around the program with the major expansion and renovation of the Bright-Landry Hockey Center.

Pearl came up three wins shy of 300 at Holy Cross. He guided the Crusaders to two Atlantic Hockey Association championships and one MAAC title. HC made its two NCAA Tournament appearances (2004, 2006) under Pearl. The Crusaders upset Minnesota and Phil Kessel, 4-3, in overtime in the first round of the 2006 NCAAs.

"I am saddened to see Coach Pearl go, as he has been a big part of this great institution both as a student-athlete and a coach,'' Holy Cross director of athletics Nate Pine said. "But we support Paul and his family in this decision, and we wish him continued success. The foundation that he has laid at Holy Cross positions us very well as we begin our national search for his successor to continue the advancement of Holy Cross hockey.''

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