Thomas Jefferson alum John Zeiler has been named the next varsity head coach for the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars, the team announced via Twitter Tuesday. He replaces outgoing coach Bill Crousey, who announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. Zeiler won three Pennsylvania state championships with the Jaguars from 1998-2000.
?Announcement – Head Coach
We have been very fortunate as an organization to have a long history of success. And, as we see the Crousey legacy come to a close, we are inspired by a new opportunity ahead.Please welcome TJ Hockey Alum John Zeiler #WErTJ #ourCoachRetired pic.twitter.com/HInUzP3gAU
— TJ Jaguars Hockey (@TJJaguarsHockey) April 27, 2021
Zeiler has been the head coach of Elizabeth Forward’s varsity program for the past three seasons. He also holds coaching positions with the Penguins Elite and Pittsburgh Vengeance programs.
After being drafted in 2002 by the then-Phoenix Coyotes, Zeiler played four years at St. Lawrence University, amassing 133 points in 144 games from 2002-2006. He spent five years in the Los Angeles Kings’ system from 2006-2011, playing 90 games at the NHL level (1 goal, 4 assists) and 237 games with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs (38 goals, 51 assists).
Zeiler spent the last four years of his career from 2011-2015 in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (German Ice Hockey League) with the Augsburger Panthers and the EC Kassel Huskies, scoring 28 goals and 68 assists in 193 games.
