The West Virginia University Division 1 Hockey Team announced the hiring of Zach Sonnefeld as their new head coach.  Sonnefeld has spent the last 4 years coaching the Under-18 AA travel team for the Amateur Nailers of the Wheeling Amateur Hockey Association that play in the Pennsylvania Amateur Hockey League, where he took the team to the USA Hockey National Tournament.  He also coached Wheeling Park High School’s Varsity team for the past 3 seasons, in the PIHL AAA division, winning two WV State Titles. Zach also coached teams that played in the nationally recognized Chicago Showcase.

Prior to coaching Sonnefeld  received many awards while playing 16 seasons for the Junior Penguins, Wheeling Amateur Nailers and Wheeling Park High School

Head Coach Sonnefeld is a 2008 graduate of West Liberty University and is currently employed by First Niagara Bank in Bethel Park, PA.

Zachary Eckman will join Sonnefeld as the assistant coach for the West Virginia University Division 1 team. Zack was a four year Mountaineer forward on the Division 1 team from 2005-2009. He was a member of the 14-0 regular season champions in the first year of the CHMA, and a two-time ACHA National Championship participant 2007 and 2008. During his senior year he was the leading scorer and named the Most Valuable Player of the team. Coach Eckman was selected as a ACHA Academic All-American 2008 and 2009.

Zack has been playing hockey since he was four years old. He grew up playing in the Wheeling Amateur Hockey Association and for the Wheeling Amateur Nailers. He played for the varsity team at Wheeling Park High School and was named the MVP of the first WV High School State Championship. During his senior year he also played for the Pittsburgh Junior Penguins Select Team.

Coach Eckman will be graduating in December from West Virginia University with degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and will be continuing his education at WVU by working on his Masters in Engineering.

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