Mike Potenza begins his second year as the Sharks strength and conditioning coordinator. He's responsible for the team's overall strength and conditioning programs -- including the creation of individualized postseason workout programs and assistance in the rehabilitation efforts for all injured players.

Before coming to San Jose, Potenza served as the strength and conditioning coach for the University of Wisconsin men's and women's hockey teams, both of which recently won their 2006 NCAA National Championships. There, he worked with current Sharks center Joe Pavelski. Potenza also had responsibilities with the wrestling and softball programs at Wisconsin.

A 2000 Springfield College graduate, Potenza earned his Bachelor of Science degree in applied exercise science. From there, the Providence, R.I., native went to Boston University where he was a graduate assistant until 2002, earning his master's degree in human movement science. Potenza completed an assortment of strength and conditioning coaching and internship experiences prior before his time at Wisconsin. At the University of Miami (Fla.), he served as a weight training, speed and post workout coach for the perennial nationally ranked Hurricanes football team. While earning his master's, Potenza instructed professional, amateur and collegiate athletes at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, a private training facility specializing in various weight training, conditioning, agility, plyometric, stretching and rehabilitation programs.

Since graduating from Springfield, Potenza has held notable positions for Harvard University in Boston and Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. He assisted and supervised all phases of strength training programs for all intercollegiate programs at Harvard and Colgate and held primary coaching responsibilities with football, men's and women's hockey, men's and women's basketball, lacrosse and field hockey for both universities.

This summer, Potenza was part of the evaluation staff for the U.S. World Junior hockey team that will compete at the 2008 World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic. His responsibilities included offering presentations on nutrition and recovery, administering physical testing and designing performance evaluations for each prospect.

Potenza and his wife, Bonnie, reside in San Jose. .