Dave Insalaco is in his 22nd season as a coach and 15th year at RIT in 2023-24. He was promoted to Associate Head Coach prior to the 2020-21 season.
Insalaco's duties include overseeing the Tiger defenseman and penalty killing efforts. He most recently mentored Adam Brubacher, who graduated in May a two-time Atlantic Hockey All-Star and was one of only six defenseman in the nation over the last four years to eclipse the 100-point plateau.
Insalaco’s arrival at RIT coincided with one of the winningest stretches in program history. The 2008-09 season saw the Tigers finish with a 23-13-2 record to clinch the second seed for the Atlantic Hockey Tournament. The following year, the Tigers won their first Atlantic Hockey Championship and made its Cinderella run to the Frozen Four to finish with a program-record 28-12-1 mark. Also on the bench during the Tigers’ run to the 2015 Midwest Regional Final, Insalaco has been part of three NCAA Tournament appearances, three Atlantic Hockey Championships and four regular-season AHA titles at RIT.
In 2009, 2011, and 2012, Insalaco coached at the USA Hockey Select Under-17 and Under-16 Development camps in Rochester with several of the nation’s top collegiate coaches and was tapped to coach in the 2011 Select 17 All-Star game. Insalaco also served as a guest coach for the Washington Capitals prospect development camps prior to their Stanley Cup in 2018.
Insalaco came to RIT after spending two seasons (2005-07) with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, including half a season as head coach and general manager. During his tenure with the Gamblers, he coached several players who went on to standout RIT careers, including Cameron Burt, Taylor McReynolds, Sean Murphy and Chris Saracino. He also coached defenseman Derrick LaPoint, who was a 2006 draftee of the Florida Panthers.
Insalaco spent the previous three seasons as assistant coach at SUNY Geneseo (2003-05), including two under current RIT Associate Head Coach Brian Hills. Insalaco helped guide the Knights to a 51-23-11 record, including back-to-back State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships and NCAA Division III Tournament berths in 2005 and 2006. Insalaco’s first coaching stint came as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, SUNY Brockport, during the 2002-03 campaign.
Graduating with an education degree in 2000, Insalaco closed his career tied for seventh in Golden Eagle history with 47 goals and 10th with 109 points. The standout left winger punctuated his career with All-SUNYAC Second Team honors while also winning Chase Memorial Academic Athletic Scholarship recognition.
Insalaco played two years of professional hockey for the Adirondack IceHawks of the United Hockey League from 2000-02, recording 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 128 career appearances. He was voted both the "Unsung Hero" and "110 Percent" Award winner by the fans after the IceHawks won the Northeast Division title his first season.Â
Insalaco also earned a master’s degree in education from Brockport. The Greece, N.Y. native currently lives in Fairport, N.Y. with his wife, Erika, and children, David and Clare.
Insalaco’s sister, Kim, was a member of the 2006 United States Women’s Olympic Hockey Team which earned a bronze medal in Turin, Italy.
