TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton has announced that the contract of head men's hockey coach Seth Appert has been extended and will now run through the 2020-21 season.

“I am thrilled to be at RPI, where we continue to build our program the right way,” Appert said. “I am humbled by the support and belief that Dr. Jackson, Dr. Sams and Jim Knowlton, as well as the alumni and fans, have shown. I am proud of our young men and look forward to leading them in pursuit of championships at RPI."

“I am delighted that we have reached an agreement with Coach Appert for a long-term mutual commitment,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson. “He is an outstanding coach and teacher for our student-athletes, and an excellent role model for all of our students and ice hockey fans, through his significant contributions to the community, on campus and off. With his leadership, I know we have great prospects for the long-term success of our men's ice hockey program.”

“We are excited about Seth's extension,” said Dr. Timothy Sams, Vice President for Student Life. “We value his passion and dedication as he plays an important role in the overall development of our student-athletes.”

Appert, who recently finished his seventh year in Troy, led the 2012-13 Engineers to a second place finish in the ECAC Hockey standings – the highest for Rensselaer since the 1992-93 team was also the runner-up. RPI had a 12-7-3 league mark and an 18-14-5 overall record. It finished the regular season with a 10-2-0 record, including a six-game winning streak.

Appert was a finalist for the ECAC Hockey Coach of the Year Award, while two players also earned year-end accolades. Senior defenseman Nick Bailen was an All-League First Team choice and a National All-America First Team selection, while freshman Jason Kasdorf was the league's Rookie of the Year and an All-ECAC Hockey Second Team honoree.

Academically, the Engineers posted a Fall 2012 grade point average of 3.54, which is the highest among all of Rensselaer's men's teams and third overall. Of the 27 student-athletes on the team, 26 earned Dean's List recognition (3.0 or better GPA), including four who had perfect 4.0 term GPAs.

“Seth is an important member of the Rensselaer Family,” said Knowlton. “He has done an exceptional job developing our young men on and off the ice, and his passion and dedication to the Institute has truly made a difference and will continue to do so.”

In addition to Bailen and Kasdorf, several Engineers have earned post-season awards, including Chase Polacek, who was a two-time ECAC Hockey Player of the Year, a two-time Hobey Baker Award finalist and twice named National All-American. Goaltender Allen York also earned All-League honors prior to signing a professional contract and making his National Hockey League debut in 2011-12, and Jerry D'Amigo was the league's Rookie of the Year in 2010.

There have also been two Student-Athlete of the Year Award finalists (Andrew Lord, Bailen), a Hockey Humanitarian Award finalist (Kirk MacDonald) and two nominees for the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award (John Kennedy, CJ Lee).

In his time at the helm, Appert, a native of Cottage Grove, Minn., has a career record of 99-136-31, while playing one of the most difficult schedules in the nation since taking over the program in April of 2006.

In addition to his position at Rensselaer, Appert has twice served as the head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team in the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament (2008, 2011) and was an assistant in 2007. He was also the president of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA), serving a three-year term.

A four-year letterwinner as a goaltender at Ferris State from 1992-96, Appert and his wife, Jill, have two daughters, Addison and Campbell.