WATERVILLE — To replace Jim Tortorella as men’s ice hockey coach, Colby College conducted a nationwide search. Turns out, the best candidate was only a few towns away.

Stan Moore was named interim men’s hockey coach on Tuesday. The Mules begin practicing on Nov. 1 and open the season on Nov. 18 at Middlebury College.

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STAN MOORE

Moore has more than 25 years of Division I coaching experience, most recently at Providence College from 2005-2010. More left the Friars to join his family in Belgrade and was an assistant coach at Kents Hill last year.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Stan’s experience and knowledge right in our backyard. He can step in on day one and be able to take command of all aspects of running a program at a high level,” athletic director Marcella Zalot said. “The search committee was impressed with his passion for the game and with his teaching. I know Stan personally and he is a wonderful man of character and integrity, and he is such a strong professional. I have all the confidence in the world that he will be able to continue the proud tradition of our men’s ice hockey program. We’ll also have a lot of fun along the way.”

Moore takes over from Tortorella, who left Colby to become associate head coach at the University of New Hampshire. Colby went 12-11-2 last year and upset Middlebury in the New England Small College Athletic Conference quarterfinals. The Mules return seven of their top nine scorers, but the team lost both goaltenders to graduation.

“There has been a lot of success here at Colby over the past 15 years or so, and I’m not looking to change the culture of the team,” Moore said. “I just want to help them improve the culture of the team in any way I can.”

A native of Potsdam, N.Y., Moore played college hockey at the State University of New York at Oswego and played professionally with the Enschede Lions of the Dutch Ice Hockey Federation in 1984-85. Along with Providence, Moore’s coaching career includes stints at Colgate, Union and Brown.

This is Moore’s second stint as an interim head coach. At Colgate in 2003-04, he led the Raiders to a 22-12-5 record and won the regular season ECAC title.

“I kind of liken it to borrowing my dad’s car for the prom,” Moore said. “I returned it in good shape and with a full tank of gas.”

Moore said he will have individual meetings with each player soon and is ready to begin the recruiting process.

As for what kind of hockey the Mules will play, that won’t be determined until Moore sees his team on the ice.

“I have to find out what kind of Mules I have,” Moore said. “I’m hoping the players take the responsibility in shaping our style and how we play the game. … Hopefully, we’ll have them use their imagination.”

From his past experience as an interim coach, Moore said he knows it can be a difficult transition for both the players and himself.

“I’m not concerned with my future at Colby,” Moore said. “I’m more concerned with how we take a difficult beginning of the year and how we can turn it into a positive.”

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com