John Rose joins the Alaska Nanooks hockey program for his fi rst season. He previously served as an assistant coach for Mercyhurst College of the Atlantic Hockey Association.

In three years with the Lakers, Rose was as a volunteer assistant for two seasons before making the move to assistant coach during the 2006-07 season. With the Lakers, Coach Rose's responsibilities include recruiting, strength and conditioning, video tape analyzing, pre-scouting opponents and practice planning.

Prior to Mercyhurst, Rose coached for a year at Wentworth Institute of Technology (Boston), a Division III program of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Northeast, for a year. The Leopards went 16-9-4 that season (2003-04) and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Originally from Potsdam, N.Y., Rose attended New England College of the ECAC East in Henniker, N.H. and graduated in 2003 with degrees in business administration and sport recreation management.

While at NEC, Rose was a four-year defenseman for the Pilgrims' hockey program. During his sophomore campaign (2000-01), the Pilgrims won the ECAC East championship and participated in the NCAA Division III Tournament. His senior year he played in the 2003 Division III East/West All-Star Game.