Sean McCann, a former Crimson captain and HobeyBaker Award finalist, serves his seventh season behind the bench asan assistant coach at his alma mater in 2008-09. His day-to-dayresponsibilities for the Harvard hockey program include off-campusrecruiting, working with the Crimson defense and assisting withspecial teams.
McCann has helped develop a strong defensive unitat Harvard. The 2004-05 Crimson finished second in the nation witha goals-against average of 1.88. That squad surrendered just 64goals, the fewest goals allowed by a Harvard team since the early1970s. In four of his six seasons, the Crimson has ranked among thetop 20 nationally in team defense, including fourth in 2002-03 witha goals-against average of 2.29, 18th (tie) in 2003-04 (2.61) and11th in 2007-08 (2.32). Harvard ranked 23rd nationally in scoringdefense in 2005-06 (2.63) and 26th in 2006-07 (2.73).
One of McCann’s strongest coaching attributescomes from his being a former student-athlete at Harvard. Thisallows him to share first-hand knowledge with recruits and players,drawing on his experience of success both in a Crimson sweater andbeyond.
A native of North York, Ont., McCann graduated fromHarvard with a A.B. in history in 1994. He was a standoutdefenseman from 1990-94 and was Harvard’s 98th captain.McCann appeared in 120 games, notching 32 goals and 43 assists for75 points. He holds the school record for goals by a defenseman ina season (22).
McCann’s best collegiate season was his finalone. He scored 22 goals, totaled 39 points and earned All-ECAC,All-New England and All-America honors in addition to being afinalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Over his four-year career, theCrimson was 74-30-16 with one Beanpot, three ECAC regular-seasonchampionships and one ECAC tournament title and made two NCAAtournament appearances. For his efforts, McCann was named to theECAC All-Decade team for the 1990s.
He was the first pick overall (Florida Panthers) inthe 1994 NHL Supplemental Draft and went on to a seven-year careerin the IHL and AHL. In more than 500 professional games, McCannscored 117 goals and recorded 174 assists (291 points). He was theIHL Rookie of the Year with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 1994-95 andserved as an assistant captain with three teams. Twice he earned an"Iron Man" award, in 1995-96 with the Greensboro Monarchs (AHL) andin his final season (2000-01) with the Houston Aeros (IHL).
McCann is married to the former Emily Buxton ’94, who wasa standout women’s lacrosse and field hockey player for theCrimson as an undergrad. The McCanns reside in Needham, Mass., withtheir children, Cooper and twins Emma and Chase.
