Jeff Volkman, a native of Oakdale, MN, led the University of North Carolina (UNC) hockey team for 9 seasons as Head Coach and General Manager. He brought a first-class, varsity mentality, and emphasized hard work on the ice, in the community, and in the classroom.
Over the past 9 seasons Coach Volkman has played an integral role in growing the UNC organization where, in addition to coaching, he successfully brought in top talent both academically and athletically. During his tenure, Coach Volkman took UNC hockey to become a nationally recognized program that many players from around the world seek out. He also collaborated with the Carolina Hurricanes and built various partnerships in the community to help elevate the UNC hockey program and encourage the growth of college hockey in North Carolina.
In Coach Volkman’s first year with the organization (2014-2015), he led the Tar Heels to an Admiral’s Cup Championship win, the first-ever ACCHL championship in UNC hockey history. In the years to follow, Coach Volkman went on to send 4 players to the ACCHL Hall of Fame and served as an ACCHL All-Star Coach in 2015 and 2017. He was also selected as First Team All-American Coach in 2015, Second Team All-American Coach in 2020, Premier Division Coach of the Year and ACHA Southeast Regional Coach of the Year in 2023. Coach Volkman is also the winningest coach in UNC hockey history and has coached numerous academic all-Americans during his career at UNC.
Coach Volkman’s rich hockey history started with playing in Minnesota’s competitive youth and high school hockey programs. He played college hockey at Arizona State University and remained competitive in the US Senior A Elite league. This was followed by a short stint playing overseas in Moosburg, Germany before entering the coaching ranks for his alma mater, Tartan High School in the fall of 1997. He has over twenty-five years of coaching and player development experience with amateur and pro players. He spent years giving back by coaching Minnesota youth, Minnesota High School, Minnesota Selects, and serving as an evaluator before relocating to North Carolina with his family in 2013. At the close of the 2019-2020 UNC hockey season, Volkman accepted an interim position to serve as Assistant Coach in the ECHL with the Kansas City Mavericks (Calgary Flames affiliate), until the season ended prematurely due to the coronavirus. He was in charge of defenseman and player development during his time with the Kansas City Mavericks.
Jeff is excited to move to Salt Lake City with his wife Torrey and two daughters. His goal in working with the Renegades will be to help AAA hockey players attain their hockey dreams by providing on and off ice development and career guidance.
