"Josh was entering his fifth season with the Warriors and was tireless in recruiting talented and dedicated student-athletes to Merrimack, and equally passionate in his commitment to coaching them to reach their greatest potential," Merrimack said in a statement. "Our prayers and deepest condolences are extended to Josh's parents, brothers and all members of the Merrimack men's hockey team and coaching staff."
From 2003 through 2007, Ciocco, who is from Altco, New Jersey, played four seasons for New Hampshire. Scott Borek, the head coach at Merrimack, recruited him to UNH since he led the team his senior year. He played in the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons and scored 22 goals and 55 points in 136 games throughout the course of his career.
He went back to UNH in 2010 and received his MBA.
As a staff assistant at Milton Academy in 2012, Ciocco started his coaching career. Ciocco worked as a scout for USHR and a television pundit for collegiate hockey before to joining the Milton program.
When Brown hired Ciocco as an assistant coach in 2016, he had been an assistant coach at Alaska Anchorage since 2013. He joined Borek's staff in 2018 after two seasons at Brown and was ready to begin his fifth season with the organization.
Our condolences to Josh's family as well as to the Merrimack men's hockey organization.