St. Paul's School

Coach Harff joined the faculty in 2022 following a seven-year stint at Trinity-Pawling School ,where he was the director of College Counseling, taught in the history department, coached hockey and lacrosse, and worked in the dorm. Prior to Trinity-Pawling, Coach Harff spent two years playing professional hockey in Huntsville, Ala.

Coaching Highlights at St. Paul's:

• “Being able to be back at my alma mater is an incredible opportunity that I am truly thankful for. I am excited to give back to the school and program that gave so much to my career. It is an honor to be a small piece of a program with such a storied history and my goal is to continue building upon the tremendous legacy of St. Paul’s hockey moving forward.”

• As an assistant coach at SPS for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, Harff oversaw recruiting and was responsible for defensive systems and special teams. 

Awards and Honors:

• 2007 - Identified on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary List

• 2009 - Howell P Campbell Award (SPS)

• 2009 - All ISL Honorable Mention (SPS)

• 2011 - Led Colby College in powerplay goals and points as a defenseman

• 2012 - Led Colby College in points as a defenseman

• 2013 - Led Colby College in points as a defenseman

• 2013 - Jack Kelley Coaches Award (Colby)

Coaching Resume:

• Following his playing career, Harff began coaching at Trinity-Pawling School (NY) where he helped lead recruiting efforts, oversaw development of defenseman, and was responsible for special teams. In his 7 seasons at Trinity-Pawling, Harff developed players who have gone on to play for: Dartmouth; Clarkson; UMASS Amherst; UMASS Lowell, Mercyhurst; West Point; Maine; Merrimack; Williams; Wesleyan; Amherst. He was also instrumental in recruiting and developing Phip Waugh, Trinity-Pawling Class of 2018, who recently signed an AHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• Outside of St. Paul’s, Harff is committed to working with players of all ages and has coached at the USA Hockey regional festivals for both New Hampshire and New York.

Education and Certifications:

• USA Hockey Level 4 Coach

Athletic Career:

• Harff, a member of the SPS Form of 2009, was a three-year member of the SPS hockey team between 2006 and 2009. As a defenseman, he played an integral role on the 2007-08 St. Paul’s team that won the 2008 ISL championship and lost to Avon Old Farms in overtime in the 2008 NEPSAC Ice Hockey Championship game. The following year Harff served as captain of the team before heading to Brown University to continue his playing career. He eventually transferred to Colby College, playing three years there and captaining the team as a senior. Following graduation, Harff played two years of professional hockey in the SPHL for the Huntsville (AL) Havoc.

Coaching Philosophy:

• The St. Paul’s Hockey program’s primary goal is to develop student-athletes who will be impactful on and off the ice as they move forward beyond SPS. We do this by mimicking what our players will see at the junior hockey and college hockey level on a daily basis in order to minimize their transition period when they move to the next step of their playing careers. We play with intensity, are detail-oriented within our systems, and strive to be creative and tenacious on offense. Each time we step on the ice we remember and work to honor Hobey Baker and all of those who wore the SPS jersey before us.