# Scott Paluch

Scott Paluch is the director of player development for USA Hockey and a former ice hockey player and coach.

## Career

After being selected by St. Louis in the 5th round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, Paluch debuted for Bowling Green a year after the Falcons won the National Championship. In four years under Jerry York Paluch was the team's top scoring defenseman three times, helping the Falcons win a regular season title and tournament title while also serving as team captain in his senior season. After graduating Paluch played two seasons with Peoria before retiring.
Paluch returned to Bowling Green as a volunteer assistant coach in 1990-91, remaining there until 1994 when he followed his former coach, Jerry York, to Boston College. Paluch remained in Boston for eight years before returning to his alma mater as head coach, replacing Buddy Powers in 2002–03. Paluch was tasked with repairing the fading program and while the Falcons produced some respectable years, Paluch was unable to get Bowling Green a winning season. Shortly after the 2008 economic crash, it was revealed that eliminating the university's varsity program was being considered as a way to save money. In the midst of the program's uncertainty Paluch accepted an offer to join USA Hockey, leaving assistant coach Dennis Williams to serve as interim coach for the 2009–10 season.
Paluch has continued with USA Hockey since 2009 and is currently the Regional Manager, American Development Model.

## Career statistics

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 1984–85 | Bowling Green | CCHA | 42 | 11 | 25 | 36 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1985–86 | Bowling Green | CCHA | 34 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1986–87 | Bowling Green | CCHA | 45 | 13 | 38 | 51 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1987–88 | Bowling Green | CCHA | 44 | 14 | 47 | 61 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1988–89 | Peoria Rivermen | IHL | 81 | 10 | 39 | 49 | 92 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 31 |
| 1989–90 | Peoria Rivermen | IHL | 79 | 10 | 28 | 38 | 59 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| NCAA totals | NCAA totals | NCAA totals | 165 | 48 | 121 | 169 | 284 | — | — | — | — | — |
| IHL totals | IHL totals | IHL totals | 160 | 20 | 67 | 87 | 151 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 39 |

## Head coaching record

Statistics overview :
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason |
| Bowling Green Falcons (CCHA) (2002–2009) ||||||
| 2002–03 | Bowling Green | 8-25-3 | 5-20-3 | 11th | CCHA First Round |
| 2003–04 | Bowling Green | 11-18-9 | 9-13-6 | 9th | CCHA First Round |
| 2004–05 | Bowling Green | 16-16-4 | 13-12-3 | 5th | CCHA First Round |
| 2005–06 | Bowling Green | 13-23-2 | 8-18-2 | 12th | CCHA First Round |
| 2006–07 | Bowling Green | 7-29-2 | 5-22-1 | 12th | CCHA First Round |
| 2007–08 | Bowling Green | 18-21-0 | 13-15-0 | t-7th | CCHA Quarterfinals |
| 2008–09 | Bowling Green | 11-24-3 | 8-19-1-0 | 12th | CCHA First Round |
| Bowling Green: | Bowling Green: | 84-156-23 | 61-119-15 | | |
| Total: | Total: | 84-156-23 | | | |
| National champion   Postseason invitational champion   Conference regular season champion   Conference regular season and conference tournament champion  Division regular season champion  Division regular season and conference tournament champion  Conference tournament champion ||||||

## Awards and honors

| Award | Year |
| All-CCHA First Team | 1987–88 |
| AHCA West First-Team All-American | 1987–88 |
| CCHA All-Tournament Team | 1988 |