The University of Vermont athletic department has signed men's hockey head coachto a contract extension through the 2017-18 season. Associate Vice President and Director of Athleticsmade the announcement on Friday. Sneddon will begin his 13th season at UVM in 2015-16."We look forward with much optimism and excitement knowing that our men's hockey program will continue in the very capable hands of Kevin and his staff," said Corran. "He, and they, have done a remarkable job in building UVM hockey into a true championship contender in the toughest conference in the country, and I look forward to celebrating much more success with them in the years ahead."Sneddon, who has been at the helm of the men's hockey program since 2003, has guided Vermont to back-to-back 20-win campaigns for just the third time in its Division I era. He has led the Catamounts to three NCAA Tournament berths in the last seven seasons, including the program's second-ever NCAA Frozen Four berth in 2009.Sneddon's teams have made three trips to TD Garden in Boston for the Hockey East Championship, including a semifinal appearance this past season. UVM has earned a Hockey East Rookie of the Year award and a pair of Hockey East Second Team All-Star honors in the last two seasons under Sneddon."I am very honored to receive this contract extension and I look forward to leading our program into the future," said Sneddon. "I would like to thank President Sullivan and Bob Corran for their support and this opportunity to continue our work at a great university with such a storied hockey program."12 of Sneddon's players have signed National Hockey League (NHL) contracts during his tenure at Vermont, and all 12 have signed in the last decade. Senior captainbecame the program's 22nd NCAA All-American earlier this month and is currently a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.Sneddon's student-athletes have also excelled in the classroom. Over the last four years, at least 12 players have been named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team, including a program-record 14 in both 2011-12 and 2012-13.Sneddon is one of only three head coaches to lead the men's hockey program over the last half century and is currently the third-longest serving head coach in Hockey East. He enters the first year of his new contract just 11 wins shy of 200 during his tenure at Vermont and 250 in his Division I head coaching career.