NC State Icepack Announces Nagib Ward as New Head Coach

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.