David is currently coaching a U18 Junior Team in Boston after spending many, many years in Europe playing and coaching hockey.  Several players and their parents have been inquiring about the possibility of playing Prep School or Junior Hockey in the United States.  David is prepared to offer his fair evaluation for each player so they will have a good understanding as to what they need to do to move up to the next level in their hockey careers or are they already on the correct path in their development.

David first started playing in the Netherlands in 1985 and continued to 1995.  He played for three different teams including the Tilburg Trappers.  In addition, he played for the Dutch National Team from 1990 to 2006.  Prior to David’s arrival in the Netherlands he had an outstanding NCAA College career at Boston College where he was named Captain in his Senior Year.

During David’s years as a member of the Dutch National Team he was an outstanding goal scorer and to this day still ranks as one of the all-time scoring leaders for the National Team.  He coached the team from 2006 to 2010.

Norway was the next stop for David’s coaching career and he coached in the top league from 2009 to 2021 for Manglerud and Lergskog and back to Manglerud.  During his years as a top coach in Norway he was selected as Coach of the Year twice.

In 2021 David returned to Tilburg as Head Coach before returning to the United States where he is the U18 Head Coach of a major Junior Hockey program in the Boston area. 

Boston, MA, USA

Assistant Coach of the Utica Comets, the American Hockey League affiliate of the New Jersey Devils

David began his coaching career with the San Jose Sharks where he spent 13 years before moving on to the New Jersey Devils for a year and the Minnesota Wild for four years and the NY Rangers organization with the Hartford Wolf Pack as an Assistant Coach.

David played Forward and Defense throughout High School and College and played professionally in the New Jersey Devils organization with the Albany Rivers Rats.

His father, John Cunniff, a well known player and professional coach, was an All-American Forward at Boston College, an Olympian with Team USA and an Assistant Coach with the Boston Bruins and Head Coach of the NJ Devils from 1989-1991.

David’s passion is teaching the game of hockey! He has been teaching Summer Hockey Schools since his High School and College days.

We are very pleased to have David join Challenger Tours Hockey in the Netherlands.  He is looking forward to sharing his unparalleled knowledge of the game of hockey with players, coaches and parents.