The University of Vermont has fired its men's hockey coach Todd Woodcroft.
Woodcroft, 50, was sent packing on Tuesday following an investigation into his conduct as head coach of the Catamounts.
The fourth-year bench boss has been accused of conduct unbecoming of his role, thanks to "inappropriate text messages with a UVM student on multiple occasions that failed to maintain professional boundaries," as stated by UVM director of athletics Jeff Schulman in a media release.
"The University of Vermont Athletic Department has high expectations for the conduct of our coaches and all involved with our department," the release read.
"After reviewing the findings of an investigation conducted by UVM's Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity that was completed this week, it is clear that coach Woodcroft failed to meet those expectations."
Through conversation with The Athletic's Katie Strang, Woodcroft's lawyer adamantly denied wrongdoing on his client's part, while indicating he will be fighting for justice for the "outstanding coach and community advocate".
Woodcroft - the brother of Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft - previously spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Jets, before opting to take on the head coaching role at UVM.
"I am extremely humbled and very honoured to lead the Catamounts," Woodcroft said upon accepting the position on April 15, 2020. "From day one, our fans can expect a program that will emphasize excellence in the classroom, service to the community and a team that will compete in every game and ultimately at a championship level... Together, the student-athletes, coaches and staff will work every day to make our University, our alumni, our community and our state proud.”
The Toronto, ON. product has been actively involved within the professional realm since 2000. He has worked as a video coach, scout and director of scouting prior to joining the Jets as an assistant to Paul Maurice in 2016.
The Catamounts performed dreadfully under Woodcroft's coaching, putting up a combined 20-55-9 record in three seasons of play. The team finished at the bottom of the Hockey East Association in two of his three seasons at the helm. UVM went 11-20-5 last season.
Steve Wiedler, who also joined the Catamounts in 2020, will take over head coaching duties on an interim basis, effective immediately.
"The team and I have tremendous confidence in coach Wiedler's ability to successfully lead our program," Schulman said in his release. "He has played a major role in the recruitment and development of our current players and will step into this important role with the full support of our team and his Athletic Department colleagues."