DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica has announced the hiring of former Saints captain Nate Pionk as an assistant coach for the men's hockey program.

Pionk returns to St. Scholastica after a playing career that took him from the Northland to professional hockey. A Hermantown, Minnesota, native, Pionk grew up playing hockey in the area before continuing his career at the junior level in Minot, North Dakota.

He later returned home to attend St. Scholastica, where he studied nursing and played four seasons for the Saints men's hockey program. Pionk served as a team captain for three of his four seasons at CSS while balancing the demands of the nursing program.

"Nate was an easy decision to add to our staff," Head Coach Brenden Kotyk said. "He wore a letter for three years, while juggling a demanding academic schedule, and played pro for two years. He is from the area and is a very good hockey mind. He will be great at recruiting and relating to our current players."

Following his collegiate career, Pionk went on to play 77 professional games over two seasons, with the majority of those appearances coming in the ECHL.

Pionk now returns to St. Scholastica as a member of Kotyk's staff, bringing professional playing experience along with a strong familiarity with the Saints program and the Duluth-area hockey community.