A Rothesay native will have a new role behind the bench of the UNB REDS women’s hockey team.

Kyle MacDonald has been hired as a full-time assistant coach for the team’s upcoming 2022-23 season.

MacDonald has served as a goaltending coach for the REDS since the team’s rebirth in 2018.

In a news release on Monday, MacDonald said he is truly grateful for this opportunity.

“It means so much to receive this show of faith and commitment from the university and the women’s hockey program,” he said.

MacDonald is no stranger to the university’s athletics department, having served with the men’s hockey team in various roles since 2016.

Prior to joining UNB, he worked closely with elite youth teams, including the Saint John Vito’s U18 AAA, the girls prep team at Rothesay Netherwood School, and the former St. Stephen Aces of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.

He currently works as a private goaltending coach for Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens and serves a scout for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

“I’m thrilled to work with Kyle more on a day-to-day basis,” REDS’ head coach Sarah Hilworth said in the release.”I know adding him to our staff full time will help us continue building champions of academic and athletic excellence here at UNB.”

MacDonald been hired on an eight-month contract and assumes his new position immediately.