Watertown, SD — The Watertown Shamrocks are thrilled to announce that assistant general manager and director of scouting Justin DeMartino has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Ferris State University Bulldogs.
“We thank Justin for his time and dedication to Shamrock hockey,” said Shamrocks’ general manager and head coach Casey Kirley. “Over the past three seasons as a Director of Player Personnel in the NAHL, including time with the Wisconsin Windigo and with our Shamrocks, Justin has proven to be one of the best at his position. As assistant GM with our organization, Justin has been instrumental in building our inaugural roster and setting us up for long-term success.”
DeMartino now returns to his alma mater, where he played from 2010-2014, to continue to work behind the bench. Along with his work in the personnel side of junior hockey, he has concurrently served as the head coach for the Fox Motors 18U AAA program since 2022. His coaching career also includes stops in the AHL as a video coach, USHL as an assistant, three seasons in the NAHL, and his start as a volunteer assistant at Ferris State in 2016-17.
“Justin has a special opportunity to join his alma mater, Ferris State, as an assistant coach,” Kirley continued. “We appreciate everything Justin has done for the Shamrocks and look forward to following his success at the NCAA Division I level.”
DeMartino joins the Bulldogs’ new head coach Brett Riley’s opening staff along with two others.
“I’m excited to have all three of these guys on board and believe they are the best fit for our program and what we are trying to achieve,” said Riley in a statement issued by the University. “Each of the three are outstanding additions and bring a variety of skills and abilities that will have a major impact for us moving forward. They’ll be excellent working with our student-athletes on a daily basis both on and off the ice.