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RALEIGH, N.C. — After an intensive search, the NC State Icepack is excited to announce Nagib Ward as the program's next Head Coach. Ward, who has served as a part-time skills coach for the past two seasons, brings elite technical and tactical acumen to the team.
"I am really excited about the opportunity and the chance to work with such a great group of guys," Ward said. "Coach Healy built a superior organization from the ground up, and we are going to leverage it to its fullest. Working with student-athletes who are excelling academically and are superior athletes will be really fun and rewarding." Ward also emphasized his commitment to the broader NC State hockey community. "I’m looking forward to meeting and working with the alumni to continue building a program that this great university can be proud of. Our players have serious ambitions, and we look forward to putting exciting, quality hockey on the ice for our fans to see." After nine years with the program, outgoing Coach Tim Healy expressed his full confidence in the hire. “Ward is the right coach at the right time in this program’s history," Healy said. "With the returning talent, a strong incoming class, and his vision and hockey IQ, the Icepack could not be in better hands.” Originally from Evian-les-Bains, France, Ward grew up playing hockey in France and Switzerland. He later arrived in Minnesota for college hockey, playing at Rainy River Community College in International Falls. There, he was coached by the current University of Mary head coach, Dan Huntley, and helped lead the team to an NJCAA Final Four before moving on to Northern Michigan University. “I am extremely excited to see Nagib get an opportunity like this at NC State, a growing program in ACHA Division 1,” Huntley stated. Following his collegiate career, Ward played professional and semi-professional hockey in France for the Flammes Bleues de Reims, Brûleurs de Loups of Grenoble, and the Pingouins de Morzine-Avoriaz. He eventually returned to the United States to pursue a career as a trained biochemist, serving as an executive at biotechnology companies, a path that led him to North Carolina, where he worked for Novozymes, Deinove SA, and his own company, AvantGarde Glycomics. While in Raleigh, Ward founded Direct Impact Hockey, a training program that has successfully advanced players to the prep school, collegiate, and professional levels. He also coached various AAA teams within the Junior Hurricanes organization before joining NC State as a skills coach. Icepack Captain Zach Herman is eager for the new leadership. “He’s an awesome person to be around," Herman stated. "He’s a very intelligent guy on and off the ice, and I’m looking forward to playing for him and learning from him. I think he is going to be incredible for this program and the people within it." Former Carolina Hurricanes forward, Partrick Eaves, who will help support Ward, added, “Nagib Ward is a knowledgeable, developmental-focused coach. NC State is lucky to have Nagib stand behind the bench.” The Icepack extends its gratitude to Club President Jake Gifford for leading the coaching search. According to Coach Healy, Gifford's "work ethic and professionalism have ensured the Icepack will reach an even greater level of success in the seasons to come.” Ward will officially assume Head Coaching duties on July 1st. As part of its continued growth, the Icepack will also add a General Manager and develop a Board of Directors comprising alumni, players, and other key program stakeholders. To facilitate the transition, Tim Healy will continue to serve as Acting General Manager.
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Message from Coach Healy: NC State Hockey earns everything it gets, and for the last 50 years, we have all built this program from the ground up. As I am leaving North Carolina on June 30th, I have one last request: to raise $60,000 in 60 days. Thanks to season ticket sales and the corporate match, we are already at $ 5,900. I want my successor and the team's leadership to start the year with financial security. The Icepack has big plans for 2026-2027, including a trip from Lake Place to Bend, Oregon. The best part is you can contribute in a number of ways:
 After nine years, including six as the Head Coach of NC State Hockey, Tim Healy will step down as his family returns to New Hampshire. Healy oversaw tremendous growth during his tenure as an Assistant Coach and Head Coach. During his three years as an assistant, the Pack won two ACCHL titles, including the memorable undefeated season in the 2018-2019 season. During his tenure as Head Coach, Healy amassed 116 wins and two ACCHL titles, but, more importantly, navigated NC State's rise to an ACHA D1 program and helped guide the team to memorable events like Frozen-Finley in 2023, where the Pack played in front of 26,000 fans. In his own words, Healy stated; “Coaching NC State Hockey for the past nine years—including the last six as Head Coach—has been an honor like no other. Together, we have moved this program forward in ways I never could have imagined. We were able to do this through the support of a fiercely determined group of people, from our players and staff to our alumni and fans. While this has been the hockey journey of a lifetime, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my Head Coaching role to pursue an outstanding career opportunity in secondary education outside of North Carolina. However, I will remain involved, continuing to work with NC State on our off-ice initiatives during this transition. There are so many people who made this experience unforgettable. Thank you to every player who laced up their skates over the last nine years, and to my coaches and staff—Eric Mura, Alex Rossetto, and Jess Tart—who have been by my side this entire time. A special thank you to Mike Gazzillo for originally bringing me into NC State Hockey. I also want to thank BJ Attarian and his crew at PackTV, as well as the leaders of our off-ice creative team over the years: Zak Salweah, Harrison Eaton, and Kaydee Gawlik. To Shane Willis and the Carolina Hurricanes, thank you for putting us on the biggest stages possible, from Frozen-Finley to the Hurricanes Alumni games. Mario Ciardella from the Red and White Shop for believing in our brand and helping us reach our fans on a whole new level. Thank you to our alumni—especially our founding group led by Richard Jordan—and to every single fan who tuned into a game, bought a ticket, or supported us in any way they could. Finally, thank you to my fellow coaches in the ACCHL, especially our commissioner, Mike Walley, and our local referees, led by Ricky Greene, for pushing me to become a better coach. Finally, the team at Wake Competition Center has given us the best home in the ACCHL. This is not goodbye; we will be back to visit, and the Red and White from State will always be our family's college team. Go Pack!” Healy will stay on and serve as General Manager during this period until his family relocates to New Hampshire, and will continue to advise and support Icepack's business operations throughout the full transition. Those interested in the position are asked to refrain from contacting the Icepack outside of the search process outlined here.  The Icepack will start celebrating its 50th anniversary season with the 5th Annual Icepack Golf Tournament and Alumni game on April 10th and 11th. Golf Tournament Get your foursome ready for the Icepack Golf Tournament at Lonnie Poole Golf Course By popular demand and in honor of the start of our 50th anniversary kick-off celebration, we have moved this year's Icepack Golf Tournament to NC State's own Lonnie Poole Golf Course! When: April 10th Where: Lonnie Poole Golf Course Time: 10:00 AM start, check-in at 9:00 am Includes: Cart, lunch, prizes, range balls, post-round BBQ, and more. Alcohol: Four drinks included, plus Red Bull Plus: Longest drive, putting contest, and a few hockey-related twists. Cost:
To register, click here. Alumni Game The Icepack are excited to welcome alums from all five decades of Icepack history to the ice at Invisalign Arena! Icepack Alums, reserve your spot on our alumni teams to play with old teammates and former players across the history of the Pack. Date: April 11th Time: 4:30 PM Location: Invisalign Arena at Wake Competition Center. Includes: Post-Game Reception, dinner, and an Icepack Alumni Game Jersey. Young Alumni (classes 2021 to present) use code YoungAlum for $20 off. Sponsors are welcome. Alumni game players, register here. Alumni, family and friends attending the reception, register here. |
