Despite every game on the UK ice hockey schedule being pivotal, the Cool Cats are playing with ice water in their veins, and head coach Rob Docherty is at the helm.

Docherty is in his 10th season with the UK ice hockey program, and will complete five-and-a-half years as head coach at the end of the season.

Since taking over, Docherty has solidified UK as a legitimate team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and made one appearance at nationals.

“We are a top-ten contender all the time,” Docherty said.

Docherty is very confident in this year’s team. The Cool Cats will be headed to a fifth appearance at regionals since he took over according to Docherty.

Docherty originally came to the Bluegrass state for work. He was brought in at UK to “help as an assistant,” and the team has “been pretty successful since then,” Docherty said.

Like many Americans would grow up playing baseball or football, Docherty grew up playing hockey in Canada. He went on to play in Europe, including stops in Sweden and Germany.

Docherty has enjoyed his time as UK’s coach.

“Our graduates have kept in touch,” Docherty said. “There is a lot of respect back to the program.”

Docherty did not hesitate when he said the highlight of his career was, “watching the boy’s faces when we made it to nationals.”

Docherty was the 2007-2008 ACHA Division 2 Southeast Regional Coach of the Year and has coached three All-Southeast Region players since the 07-08 season: Forward Mike Barnes (07-08), Forward Tony Valerino (08-09) and Forward Taylor Vit (09-10).

Senior goalie Jim Borgaard acknowledged the way Docherty led the team following the death of Vit earlier this year.

“He did a great job holding the team together,” Borgaard said.

UK hockey General Manager Ian Ward said Docherty has been “wonderful” and “excellent” as head coach.

“There is very little to say; he took over and we have done very well ever since,” Ward said.

Borgaard said Docherty is great with both scheming effective plays as well as taking different personalities and building a team chemistry.

“He cares about every one of us,” Borgaard said.