Liam MacKenzie – Student Reporter
North Andover, MA – 2026 has been the year of Merrimack men’s ice hockey, and the momentum continues to build. During the Merrimack Roadshow on July 15, 2026, at Legal Sea Foods-Harborside in Boston, Director of Athletics Joe Foley announced that head coach Scott Borek had signed a multi-year contract extension, ensuring the leader behind the most successful stretch in program history will remain behind the Warriors’ bench for years to come.
Rewarding a Historic Season – The extension comes on the heels of a historic 2025-26 campaign that saw Merrimack capture its first Hockey East Tournament championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Warriors made history by becoming the first No. 8 seed to win the Hockey East Tournament, defeating Connecticut in the championship game at TD Garden to secure the conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
The championship run capped off one of the most memorable seasons in program history and further solidified Merrimack’s emergence as a contender in one of college hockey’s toughest conferences.
Building a Winning Culture – Since taking over the program in 2018, Borek has transformed Merrimack into one of the premier programs in Hockey East. His emphasis on player development, accountability, and a team-first culture has helped elevate the Warriors into a consistent postseason contender.
Under Borek’s leadership, Merrimack has reached multiple NCAA Tournaments and Hockey East Championship Weekends while establishing a standard of success both on and off the ice. The 2025-26 season added another chapter to that legacy with the program’s first Hockey East championship.
A Vote of Confidence – The extension was announced by Director of Athletics Joe Foley during the Merrimack Roadshow at Legal Sea Foods-Harborside in Boston on July 15, 2026, with Merrimack Athletics sharing the announcement on X shortly afterward.
Foley praised Borek for the culture and foundation he has built throughout the program, while the multi-year extension reflects the university’s confidence in his leadership and vision for the future.
Borek also expressed his gratitude for the extension, noting that the college’s confidence extends beyond himself and serves as recognition for the players, coaches, and staff who have helped elevate Merrimack hockey.
Looking Ahead – With Borek now under a new multi-year contract, Merrimack enters the 2026-27 season with stability and championship expectations. The Warriors will look to build upon their historic Hockey East title while continuing to establish themselves as one of the nation’s rising college hockey programs.
After a breakthrough season that forever changed the trajectory of Merrimack men’s ice hockey, the future remains bright. With Scott Borek committed to leading the program for years to come, the Warriors have secured the coach who helped usher in the most successful era in program history.
