Bio

An outstanding defenseman on the Salem hockey team for four years, Gilligan was the first hockey player in the history of the College to win All American honors. In addition to being a first team All American, he was twice elected captain. He won the team M.V.P award and was named to the ECAC All Team twice.

After graduating, Gilligan played for a year with the Springfield Blades of the Eastern League, and, in 1972, was on the U.S team at the World University Games at Lake Placid, New York. He also taught in the Peabody schools. From 1975 to 1981, he was the head hockey coach at Salem State College compiling a record of 128-48-2. In Massachusetts State College play, his record was 36-0-1. He currently has the second highest winning percentage (72.5) in the New England College Division.

After leaving Salem, he went to Yale where he was assistant head coach for two years and interim head coach for a year before being appointed to his current head coaching position at the University of Vermont. Gilligan makes his home in Burlington, Vermont.