The 2017-18 season will be the fifth for John Carratu as part of Merrimack's coaching staff, who serves as volunteer goaltending coach.
Despite serving in a volunteer role, Carratu has certainly had a tangible impact on one of the most important positions on the ice -- Merrimack's goaltending corps -- and his work has helped produce some noteworthy performances since his arrival.
Last winter, in 2016-17, Carratu helped Collin Delia record one of the best goaltending seasons in program history, one that culminated in his earning Hockey East Third Team All-Star and All-New England honors. Delia finished the year ranked 14th nationally in goals-against average (2.15) and ninth in save percentage (.927) while posting three shutouts. From January 1 onward, Delia was arguably the nation's top netminder, ranking fifth in save percentage (.935) and seventh in GAA (1.98) in 16 games. Delia eventually was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer of 2017.
In 2015-16, Carratu instructed a young goaltending tandem that eventually backstopped the Warriors to a postseason series victory, as the team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the league tournament. Down the stretch, freshman Drew Vogler put up eye-popping numbers and finished the year with the 13th-best goals-against average (1.99) and 16th-best save percentage (.926) in the country in nearly 850 minutes in net.
In the season prior, Carratu instructed one of the top goaltending tandems in Hockey East, guiding Class of 2015 graduate Rasmus Tirronen to a phenomenal senior season while laying the foundation for a stellar campaign by then-freshman Collin Delia. Tirronen set the new single-season record in save percentage (.929) while earning All-Hockey East Honorable Mention honors.
Hired in 2013-14, Carratu came to Merrimack while also serving as Director at Stop It Goaltending. His arrival on campus followed a stint at fellow Hockey East member Northeastern, where he also served as Goaltending Coach.
With Stop It Goaltending, Carratu has trained NHL, Minor Pro and NCAA Division I goaltenders, as well as goaltenders of all abilities at the Youth level. In college, he led his NCAA Division II Plymouth State team to the ECAC playoffs while graduating with a degree in Education.
Upon graduation, Carratu entered the teaching profession in the Seattle area where he began his career as a Goaltending Consultant. He was a member of the USA Hockey Pacific District selection process and coached goaltenders that played in the NAHL, BCJHL, and NCAA as well.
Upon his return to New England, Carratu became an Assistant Coach with the Salem Ice Dogs in the IJHL and helped lead them to two playoff berths. He coached at numerous goaltending camps and clinics before bringing his knowledge and enthusiasm to Stop It Goaltending.
Carratu has also served as a goaltending consultant to numerous teams and organizations in addition to Merrimack and Northeastern, including US Prep School power Cushing Academy, Nobles and Greenough in the ISL as well as Phillips Andover Academy.
Carratu resides in Beverly, Massachusetts.
