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  • Brandon Naurato Adds Jeff Salajko and Anthony Ciatti to the Michigan Hockey Staff

Brandon Naurato Adds Jeff Salajko and Anthony Ciatti to the Michigan Hockey Staff

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Hockey

University of Michigan interim ice hockey head coach Brandon Naurato is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeff Salajko as goaltender coach and Anthony Ciatti as director of analytics to the Michigan ice hockey program.

Salajko spent the last six seasons as the Detroit Red Wings' goaltending coach. He was promoted to that position after a three-year stint with their American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids from 2013-16. He is not a stranger to the college coaching ranks, as he served as an assistant coach at Ohio State from 2008-11. A native of Kitchener, Ontario, Salajko was selected in the 10th round and 236th overall in the 1993 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks. He played eight seasons of professional hockey, seeing action with 11 different teams in four leagues.

"Jeff has been at the highest levels of the game," Naurato said. "He's worked with the best and is well respected. We're happy to have him work with our goalies and take them to another level. Jeff is a great communicator and student of the game. It's a luxury to add someone of his caliber to the coaching staff."

Ciatti has four years of experience in junior hockey as both a data tracker and analytics lead. He spent two years as coordinator of analytics with Green Bay of the United State Hockey League and two with the Ontario Hockey League's Mississauga Steelheads. A native of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Ciatti graduated from U-M Dearborn with a degree in computer engineering. In addition to technical program management, Ciatti has worked in product innovation and has 11 US patents.

"Anthony is one of the most driven analytic people, who can help steer and guide a program, and has shown that with his time spent within two different leagues," Naurato said. "Through Anthony, we will put ourselves in a position to show clear objectives of where we are at, and how we are progressing. He's forward thinking and brings things that don't exist in college hockey."

Michigan will open the season with an exhibition game against Windsor on Saturday, Oct. 1. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.