The MSU hockey team announced in late May that they named former Spartans player Rob Woodward as volunteer assistant coach for the upcoming season.

"I believe Rob will be a good fit for our program," MSU head coach Rick Comley said in a written statement. "He brings a tremendous amount of experience, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment. He understands the Michigan State hockey program, the goals we are working toward."

Woodward has spent the last five years coaching the hockey team at Lansing Catholic Central High School, where he led the Cougars to their first conference title in 27 years in 2004. He was also selected Capital Area Activities Conference Coach of the Year the last two seasons but said he is thrilled about joining his alma mater and moving forward in his coaching career.

"I'm really excited about it," Woodward said. "Brian Renfrew, the assistant coach, came up to me at the end of April at the American Hockey Coaches Association trade show ? and asked if (volunteer assistant) would be something I was interested in.

"It was tough leaving (Lansing Catholic Central), but it was an opportunity that I couldn't miss out on."

From 1989-93, Woodward played left wing for the Spartans, appearing in 155 games. He scored 48 goals and had 47 assists during his four-year tenure, while helping MSU to an appearance in the 1991-92 Frozen Four.

As for the MSU team, captain and forward Drew Miller said the team has not been told about Woodward yet.

However, he said, based on the experience of having Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jason Woolley as the Spartans volunteer assistant last year, Miller thinks this is another good move for the team.

"Rob played here, and he knows the traditions and what MSU Hockey is all about," Miller said. "He worked the MSU Hockey camp last summer, so a lot of the guys already know him. He's been around after games, and he was at our hockey banquet last year giving out the Goofus Award.

"I think guys will feel comfortable with him personally and as a coach. It will be nice having him help out and be around each day."

Woodward won the Goofus Award, given every year to the team's humorist, three years in a row in the '90s. Miller said he doesn't think Woodward's humor was part of the hiring and that the move is based on Woodward's ability to coach hockey.

"By me coming in, it's just a different personality and a different dimension to the coaching staff," Woodward said. "Going into it, I'm not really sure what to expect. But if there are some times where things need to be lightened up a little bit and I can support the guys like that, I will."

Woodward's hope is to bring some of his success, at the high school and as a Spartans player, back to MSU and help restore the program to level he feels it should be at - a championship level.

"The bottom line (at MSU) and those guys know it - it's about winning a championship," he said. "Whatever that takes, we have to do."