Lazary Named Ice Hockey Associate Head Coach
8/24/2026 12:04:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan ice hockey Graham Family Head Coach Brandon Naurato announced Monday (Aug. 24) the hiring of Chris Lazary as associate head coach of the Wolverines.
"We're excited to welcome Chris and his family to Michigan. Chris has built a tremendous reputation as a teacher, a developer of players and someone who knows what it takes to build a winning culture. The success he's had in Saginaw speaks for itself, but what stood out to me throughout this process was his passion for developing young men on and off the ice. He has a relentless work ethic, a great hockey mind and will make an immediate impact on our players and the Michigan hockey program."
Lazary joins the Wolverines following a 10-year tenure with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League, including serving as head coach since November 2018. He led the Spirit to three West Division championships (2018-19, 2019-20, 2023-24), highlighted by the franchise's first Memorial Cup championship in 2024. Lazary was elevated to head coach in November 2018 after spending more than two seasons as the Spirit's associate coach.
Known for his emphasis on player development and attention to detail, Lazary helped establish Saginaw as one of the OHL's premier programs. Under his leadership, the Spirit reached several franchise milestones, including its first West Division title and first appearance in the Western Conference Final, before reaching the pinnacle with the organization's first Memorial Cup championship in 2024.
Prior to joining the Spirit, Lazary spent two seasons (2015-17) as an assistant coach with the OHL's Sarnia Sting after serving as head coach of the Waterloo Siskins of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2013-14 season, where he led the club to a Midwestern Conference championship. He also served as an assistant coach at York University (2012-13) following two seasons with the St. Michael's Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (2010-12), where he began his coaching career.
"I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to join the University of Michigan as associate head coach," Lazary said. "Michigan is one of the premier programs in college hockey, with a rich tradition of excellence and a standard that is recognized across the sport. I want to thank coach Brandon Naurato and Warde Manuel for their belief and trust in me.
"Leaving Saginaw is not easy. The players, staff, billet families, and fans have meant so much to me and my family, and I will always be grateful for the relationships and memories we built together. Those experiences have shaped me as both a coach and a person.
"I'm excited to get to Ann Arbor and begin working with our student-athletes. My goal is to help our players develop on and off the ice, compete for championships, and represent the block M with pride every day. I can't wait to get started."
