UMass Lowell associate head coach Andy Jones was named Wednesday morning as Bentley University’s head hockey coach.

The 45-year-old Jones was a valued member of Norm Bazin’s coaching staff for eight seasons, the last five as associate head coach. The River Hawks qualified for the NCAA Tournament three times and captured a Hockey East championship in his tenure.

“I’m extremely excited,” Jones said of the Bentley hiring. “It’s a terrific school with a great business program. I think the program has a lot of room to grow. I think it’s going to be a fun journey to build it up. I think it’s a university that has a lot to offer. I’m excited. It’s probably a roster that’s eager for something a little different.”

A Minnesota native, Jones was a two-sport athlete (hockey, baseball) at Amherst College, graduating in 2000. Prior to joining the UML staff, he was a five-year assistant with Sioux Falls of the USHL and a four-year assistant at Clarkson University.

Jones is taking over for Ryan Soderquist, who stepped down after 21 seasons and 277 wins as Bentley’s head coach. Bentley, coming off an 11-21-2 campaign, is a member of Atlantic Hockey.