“I’ve known Chris for a number of years, his enthusiasm and his ability to comprehend and learn the game of hockey has been exemplary for many years in the hockey system in Dallas. The challenges he faces right now, I know he’ll do a great job in becoming a real asset for Robert Morris University. His ability to work with players will be a tremendous asset to the program, and I’m sure he’s going to be able to use his talents as a great coach.”   —  NHL Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, Columbus Blue Jackets

Chris Kostopoulos is entering his second season on the Colonials staff. While overseeing areas of recruiting and video coordination, Kostopoulos focuses his concentration on the defensive aspects of the team.  He has a passion for teaching the game and is looking to guide the young Colonials blue line corps to new heights this season. 

Prior to coming to Robert Morris, Kostopoulos was the head coach, director of player development and head recruiter for the Dallas Alliance Bulldogs, an elite Midget AAA team out of Dallas, TX. In addition to winning a bronze medal at the 2007 USA Hockey National Championships, the last three Kostopoulos-led clubs finished no worse than No. 10 in the USHSHO National Rankings.

“I have been very impressed with Chris from the first time I talked to him,” said Schooley. “Every person I spoke with, from NHL coaches to NCAA coaches to USA Hockey staff, spoke highly of Chris. He brings a track record of developing players at a high level. Chris comes to RMU with a wealth of experience in skill and player development. He has been instrumental in moving his players on to college as well as being drafted in the NHL. I am very excited to add a person with tremendous character, work ethic and passion to our staff at Robert Morris.”

Kostopoulos played an instrumental role in the development of a number of players who currently play or are committed to play college hockey at the Division I level. One of his most notable players is Austin Smith, who was drafted 128th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and will play for Colgate University starting in the fall of 2008.  Other players Kostopoulos has coached include, Keir Ross (Cornell University), Locke Jillson (Cornell University), JP Maley (Northeastern University), Adam Krause (Boston University) and many others who will arrive at the collegiate level in the near future.

In 2002 and 2006, Kostopoulos served under the current head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ken Hitchcock. Kostopoulos participated in an apprenticeship, while Hitchcock was with the Dallas Stars and the Philadelphia Flyers.  During his time there, he worked on team building strategies, systems preparation, personnel issues and video assessment.

Kostopoulos played professionally for the Fort Worth Fire, the Huntsville Channel Cats and the Columbus Cotton Mouths of the Central Hockey League from 1996-1998. He played collegiate hockey at the University of Toronto. During the off season, Chris serves actively as a coach and evaluator for USA Hockey, primarily in the Rocky Mountain District Player Development Camps.

Chris is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, and is the brother of former Pittsburgh Penguin Tom Kostopoulos, who currently plays for the Montreal Canadiens. Kostopoulos also is the owner and president of Impact Hockey Inc, an elite hockey development company for youth hockey players across the U.S. & Canada. He and his wife, Wendy, have three sons, Cameron, Tyler and Joshua.