Josh Ciocco, Merrimack Assistant Coach and Former Vernon Viper Ice hockey player, is reported to have passed away at 38 years old.

Josh Ciocco Ice Hockey Player

Josh was an accomplished hockey player and coach with years of experience. During his time as an Ice hockey player, he played for the Vernon Vipers and had an illustrious career there.

Besides playing for the Vernon Vipers in his career, he also earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2007 from the University of New Hampshire. At UNH, he was a four-year member of the hockey program and was team captain during his senior year.

Josh played as a winger from Atco, N.J., played four years for the Wildcats, and was a captain in 2006-07, his senior season. He managed to score22 goals and notched 38 assists in his college career. The Wildcats made the NCAA tournament all four of Ciocco’s years

Josh returned to UNH to earn his MBA after spending two seasons in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers and Fresno Falcons. Aside from coaching at Merrimack, Josh also worked as an assistant coach at Brown University and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

He played two seasons in the ECHL before joining the University of Alaska-Anchorage as an assistant coach. He was there for three years, then moved to Brown as an assistant for two years before joining Merrimack.

Josh Ciocco Death & Case

Josh’s passing was first reported on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. No official cause of death has been shared as of the time of writing, however, In 2017, the Union Leader reported that Ciocco was diagnosed with compartmental syndrome, which impedes blood flow to affected tissues. At that time, he was admitted to a Rhode Island hospital after portions of muscle in his leg died, which caused toxins to enter his bloodstream and required dialysis.

The Merrimack College Athletics website confirmed Josh’s passing in a statement that reads,

“The Merrimack community and men’s hockey program are deeply saddened by the passing of assistant coach Josh Ciocco. Josh was entering his fifth season with the Warriors and was tireless in recruiting talented and dedicated student-athletes to Merrimack, and equally passionate in his commitment to coaching them to reach their greatest potential.”

Josh Ciocco Wife

It is not clear whether Josh had a wife or children. He managed to keep his personal affair under wraps.