Coach Palmer Graduated from Clarkson University with a degree and engineering and management where was a two-time Academic All American. Following his collegiate career, he went on to play professionally for 13 years in Europe, competing in Germany, Austria and Italy. At the close of his playing career he began coaching at the University of Denver, as well as for two seasons in the USHL, spending time on the staff of both the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Green Bay Gamblers.
In his five seasons at Culver he has amassed an impressive record of 122-45-16, including two appearances as a national finalist, and one as semi-finalist. Under his leadership and guidance, the Culver program has helped its players further their careers with commitments to the likes of Notre Dame, Yale, Miami, UNH, St. Cloud State, Dartmouth, Arizona State, Clarkson, Holy Cross, Army, AIU, Williams and Middlebury; during his time, two players have also been selected in the NHL draft directly from Culver. Coach Palmer, however, defines the program's success by different metrics, “we have great kids here at Culver who are also good hockey players. A team is bound to win some games if that is the case. We define our success by the development of all aspects of the hockey player on the ice but more importantly the development of the person off the ice.”
Coach Palmer teaches Physics, speaks three languages, and was nominated to be a Rhodes Scholar. In no uncertain terms, he embodies the development of the Mind, Spirit, and Body as stated in Culver's Mission.
