Robert Nardella, Jr (born February 2, 1968) is an Italian-American former professional ice hockey defenseman who is the former head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Following his NCAA career with Ferris State University, Nardella competed in the Italian Hockey League, Deutsche Eishockey Liga, International Hockey League, and American Hockey League. During his career, he played for the Alleghe Hockey, Chicago Wolves, Adler Mannheim, Quad City Mallards, Milano Vipers, and Rockford IceHogs. Nardella spent the majority of his professional career playing with the Chicago Wolves, where he set a franchise record for most points by a defenseman with 298. He also helped them win the International Hockey League’s Turner Cup in 1998 and 2000 and the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup in 2002.

Nardella has represented Italy internationally at the 1998 Winter Olympics and 2006 Winter Olympics, as well as at the 1995, 1996, and 1997 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.

Playing career As a youth, Nardella played Minor ice hockey for the Chicago Jesters. Nardella later attended Holy Cross High School for two years before completing his junior and senior high school years in Iowa while playing with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League. While with the Buccaneers, Nardella set a franchise record for most points scored in a season with 111 points during the 1987–88 season.

As a college walk-on for Ferris State University, Nardella played three seasons with the Bulldogs putting up 74 points in 108 games. In his last season with the team, Nardella transitioned into a defensive position, on the encouragement of coach Bob Mancini, and had a breakout year, putting up 40 points in 42 games. While this was not enough to attract attention from National Hockey League scouts, he was recruited by Italian third division teams. Due to his grandfather's Italian nationality, Nardella qualified for those teams as a national member. Nardella joined the HC Alta Badia for the 1991-92 season. He was then moved to the top tier Italian Hockey League team, Alleghe Hockey, for the next two seasons.

Nardella then joined the Chicago Wolves for their inaugural season in the International Hockey League. During this time, Nardella competed in the 1995 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships. He was also later named to Italy's 1996, and 1997 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships roster. In 1998, Nardella was selected by the Team Italy for the 1998 Winter Olympics before returning to the Wolves.

Nardella won the 2000 Turner Cup Championship with the Wolves, while leading all defensemen with 13 points. As a result of his play, Nardella was named to the IHL Second All-Star Team. He re-signed with the Wolves after that season. Following the 2001 Turner Cup, the Chicago Wolves and five other IHL teams were absorbed into the American Hockey League. That season the Wolves won the 2002 Calder Cup, with Nardella accumulating 14 points. After six consecutive seasons with the Wolves spanning from 1997 until 2003, Nardella was released by the team on January 28, 2003, and he subsequently joined the Milano Vipers in Italy and played two games for the Quad City Mallards in the UHL. While with the Vipers, Nardella helped them win the Italian Elite League Championship by scoring nine points in 11 games. He re-joined the Wolves on March 17, 2004. Nardella ended his career with the Wolves as the franchise record holder for most points by a defensemen with 298 points.

While playing with the Rockford IceHogs in the 2005–06 season, Nardella was again selected to represent Italy at the 2006 Winter Olympics. He retired after that season on April 21, 2006.

Coaching career In 2012, the Chicago Wolves hired Nardella to be the team's skills development coach. On December 15, 2012, Nardella was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2014, he became a part time coaching assistant until he was promoted to full time assistant coach in 2017. On June 13, 2023, he was promoted to head coach.

In 2023, Nardella was suspended ten games by the AHL for allegedly using homophobic language against officials.

Personal life Although Nardella was born in the United States, due to his grandfather's Italian heritage he was able to represent Italy internationally. Because Nardella played in Italy for a few seasons, he earned Italian citizenship.

While Nardella comes from a hockey involved family, he also encouraged his sons to become hockey players as well. His uncle Mike worked for the Chicago Blackhawks organization and his cousin Frank played NCAA hockey for Dartmouth College. While living in Rosemont with his wife Alicia, Nardella's elder son Bobby played NCAA hockey for the University of Notre Dame and his younger son Nicholas played in the North American Hockey League.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1986–87 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 1987–88 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL 44 67 111————— 1988–89 Ferris State University CCHA 28 6 4 10 18————— 1989–90 Ferris State University CCHA 38 10 14 24 46————— 1990–91 Ferris State University CCHA 42 12 28 40 31————— 1991–92 HC Alta Badia ITA.2 45 45 60 105 31—————1992–93Alleghe HockeyITA 16 10 9 19 4 9 6 11 17 81992–93Alleghe HockeyAL 32 19 37 56 18————— 1993–94 Alleghe Hockey ITA 23 12 21 33 26—————1993–94Alleghe HockeyAL 30 13 36 49 36—————1994–95Chicago WolvesIHL74940493631230 1995–96 HC Milano ITA3014314531 13 2 4 6 601995–96HC MilanoAL 8 4 3 7 8————— 1996–97 Adler Mannheim DEL 50 6 21 27 59936910 1997–98Chicago WolvesIHL6513354840225131824 1998–99Chicago WolvesIHL828455386100226 1999–2000Chicago WolvesIHL7710364626162111310 2000–01Chicago WolvesIHL78940495816347342001–02Chicago WolvesAHL528182647245914122002–03Chicago WolvesAHL15191018—————2002–03Quad City MallardsUHL22132—————2002–03HC MilanoITA11189109167192003–04Rockford IceHogsUHL447384582—————2003–04Chicago WolvesAHL1301010610134122005–06Chicago WolvesAHL2016714—————2005–06Rockford IceHogsUHL263192218—————ITA totals 80 37 69 106 71 31 9 21 30 86IHL totals 376 49 196 245 246 67 11 32 43 74AHL totals 100 10 43 53 85 34 6 12 18 24

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM1995ItalyWC 7th50118 1996Italy WC 7th 4 2 2 4 0 1997Italy WC 8th 8 3 3 6 8 1998Italy OG 12th 4 0 2 2 62006 Italy OG 11th 5 0 1 1 6 Senior totals 26591428

Awards and honors Award Year Ref USHL USHL Forward of the Year 1988 IHL IHL Second All-Star Team 2000 Turner Cup 1998, 2000 AHL Calder Cup Champion 2002

References

External links