New Varsity Boys’ Hockey Head Coach Announced for 2026-27 Season

Westminster School is pleased to announce that Ben Harff will assume the role of head coach of Varsity Boys’ Hockey effective July 1, 2026. Harff succeeds Tim Joncas ’00, who has led the program with distinction for the past 18 years.

Joncas’ tenure as head coach has been marked by sustained excellence and competitive success. Under his leadership, the Martlets captured the 2019 Founders League championship and made 11 New England tournament appearances (2010–16, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025). In 2011, Westminster claimed the New England Martin/Earl Large School championship, and Joncas was named NEPSIHA Large School Coach of the Year. The program also earned Flood Marr Tournament titles in 2010 and 2015. During his tenure, Joncas led the Martlets to a record of 248-176-44.

“It has been an honor to lead this program for the past 18 years,” Joncas said. “Westminster School and my experience here as a student-athlete shaped me in countless meaningful ways. The coaches who guided me during my time here — Dennis Daly, Peter Ulrich, Jon Deveaux, Tom Earl, Scott Stevens and Todd Eckerson — had a profound impact on my life well beyond athletics. I can only hope that I have had a similar impact on the incredible young men I’ve had the privilege of spending my winters with at Jackson Rink. I feel deeply fortunate for the opportunity to lead this program, and I am truly grateful to now pass it on to Ben. He will do a tremendous job.”

Joncas will remain at Westminster in his role as director of athletics. He is excited to focus his energy on advancing the school’s athletic program and helping position Westminster athletics as one of the most competitive programs in New England.

Harff joined the Westminster faculty in July 2024 and has played an integral role in the hockey program’s coaching and recruiting operations. He manages the team’s recruiting efforts, oversees the forward group and runs the power play.

“Ben’s leadership reflects exactly what we value in our boys’ hockey program,” Joncas said. “Over the past two seasons, I’ve seen his unwavering commitment to player development, character and integrity. He leads with purpose and truly embodies Grit and Grace.”

Prior to arriving at Westminster, Harff spent five years at Millbrook School, where he worked with the defensive unit, coached special teams and managed recruiting efforts. During that time, he recruited and coached players who advanced to NCAA Division I and Division III programs, as well as junior hockey leagues including the USHL, BCHL, NAHL and NCDC.

A graduate of Berkshire School, where he played three years of varsity hockey, Harff matriculated to Trinity College and studied public policy and law. While at Trinity, he worked with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) in coaching, scouting and player development roles. He currently serves as a scout for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL and has extensive experience with USA Hockey at the district and national levels. Harff has spent a combined 10 years evaluating and coaching players in the New York and New England districts and, in 2024, served as an assistant coach for Team New York at the USA Hockey Boys National 17 Festival.

“I am very humbled and honored to fill this role and follow in Tim’s footsteps,” Harff said. “He invested so much in building this program, and I am excited to continue that growth forward. I remember touring campus as a prospective student years ago and feeling Westminster’s allure. Now, having worked here for two years, I can confirm that the people here are special — faculty and staff, students and alumni. It is clear that people care for this place and this program, and that gives me confidence that we will have continued success moving forward.

“Building relationships and guiding student-athletes to reach their full potential and achieve their goals in life is why I work at this level,” he added. “I am excited to build on the success and culture that Tim established over the last 18 years, and I am deeply grateful for his trust, mentorship and guidance over the last two seasons working together.”

Beyond the rink, Harff serves as associate director of admission and financial aid and lives on campus with his fiancée, Cate MacKenzie, a form dean. He is also dorm head of Memorial Dorm. Harff earned his MBA from UMass Amherst in 2025.

Westminster looks forward to the continued growth and success of the Varsity Boys’ Hockey program under Harff’s leadership.