Trent Eigner has accepted the vacant head coaching at St. Thomas Academy, effective immediately. 

Eigner became the head coach at Lakeville North in 2011 and guided the Panthers to four state tournament appearances in his eight seasons behind the bench. Among those state tournament trips was a Class 2A state title in 2015, when Eigner’s Panthers posted a spotless 31-0 record. 

Prior to joining Lakeville North, Eigner played and coached in the professional minor leagues after playing for four seasons at Miami (OH). Eigner played his high school hockey at Rosemount. 

Eigner replaces former co-head coaches Greg and Tom Vannelli, who stepped down after leading St. Thomas Academy to the 2019 Class 2A State Tournament. The Cadets won five Class 1A state championships under the Vannelli’s, who coached the team since 2003. 

The Cadets must replace 12 seniors from a team that went 25-5-1 and finished fourth at this year’s state tourney.  

Eigner will bring a lot to the already thriving Cadet program in Mendota Heights. Having deep roots in the hockey heavy south metro, Eigner will have no problem building a program that has been to the state tournament four out of the last five years. The Cadets managed only one win at the Xcel Energy Center at the Class AA level. 

There will be several quality assistant coaching candidates for Eigner to choose from down the road.