The Wilkes University Athletic Department announced a delay in the start of the Men’s Ice Hockey program. The University and recently hired head coach Michael Young have parted ways.

According to a release on the Athletic Department’s website, Young made the decision to return to his previous role as associate head coach at Westfield State. The move was cited as “unforeseen circumstances”.

Due to his departure, Wilkes has made the decision to suspend the program for the 2017-18 season. The University plans to conduct a national search for a head coach this upcoming spring.

Young was hired on Oct. 13 and became the first men’s ice hockey coach in Colonel history.

This decision will allow the new coach to use an entire season to recruit student-athletes for the inaugural season in 2018-19.

The team is slated to compete at the Toyota SportsPlex at Coal Street Park after forming an affiliation with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

King’s College’s new ice hockey programs are both slated to start on time in the 2017-18 academic year.

On Aug. 29, Wilkes University’s President, Patrick Leahy, announced Wilkes would offer both men’s and women’s ice hockey in 2017-18.

The move targets an expanded approach from the traditional recruiting tactics. The university hopes to attract student-athletes on a national and international level.