Jim Reynolds was an American ice hockey player and coach who served as the inaugural head coach for Merrimack.
Playing career Reynolds grew up in Quincy Massachusetts graduating from BC high school. He would later play for the Boston Olympics in 1947 and the Providence scarlets in 1948. James Reynolds hockey DB page https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=60246
Coaching career Reynolds attended Merrimack college and was part of the first graduating class in 1951. James Reynolds Obituary https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonglobe/name/james-reynolds-obituary?id=19321533 Just a couple years later in 1956 the Merrimack hockey team were on the Verge of their first official season. Merrimack hockey history https://warriorhockey.org/history/ So Reynolds was offered the job as the programs first ever head coach. After a 0-2 start during the programs inaugural season. Reynolds led the warriors to the first victory in program history with a 13-6 win over assumption university. He would go on to finish that season 4-4-1. The following year Reynolds would lead Merrimack to their first ever winning season when they would go 6-3-2. Following up with a 7-5 record the next season. After 2 losing seasons Merrimack would join ECAC Hockey conference during the 1961–62 season. The conference consisted of 29 other teams in the Northeast. The warriors would go 7-6 that year finishing 13th in the conference standings. Following another 13th place finish the year after. Reynolds would lead Merrimack to a career best 8 wins during the 1963–64 season. He would then step down as head coach at the end of the season. Being replaced by Ron Ryan. Merrimack hockey season archives https://merrimackathletics.com/sports/2017/7/27/archives-mens-ice-hockey.aspx
For his contributions and help starting the Merrimack hockey program. He was later inducted into the Merrimack athletics hall of fame 1985. Merrimack athletics hall of fame https://merrimackathletics.com/sports/2017/7/12/HOF-index.aspx
Later life
After stepping down as the Merrimack coach, he served as Attorney in Quincy for over 50 years before retiring. He was married to his wife Maureen, he had 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
Head coaching record SeasonTeamOverallConferencePostseason1956-57Merrimack Warriors4-4-10-01957-58Merrimack Warriors6-3-20-01958-59Merrimack Warriors7-50-01959-60Merrimack Warriors3-60-01960-61Merrimack Warriors5-70-01961-62Merrimack Warriors 7-60-01962-63Merrimack Warriors 6-70-01963-64Merrimack Warriors 8-70-0Merrimack46-45-3Total46-46-3
References