Coach Michael Cambria (left) with Ed Witz, who Cambria replaced two years ago.

PMHS ice hockey coach Michael Cambria announced his resignation in an email to Pelham’s hockey community Wednesday night.

“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Cambria said. “I’ve decided to take on a new challenge of leading the hockey program at Iona Prep, and a few factors led to my decision, but most importantly, it’s my alma mater and was a large part of my playing career. So in a way it feels like things are coming in a full circle for me.”

Cambria has been on the Pelican coaching staff for nine years, serving as head coach for the last two seasons after he replaced legendary coach Ed Witz on his retirement. While on Witz’s staff, he helped bring two state championship banners to Pelham, and as a first-year head coach, took the team to the final last season, where it fell to Skaneateles.

Cambria said someone was in line to take his post, though did not name the new coach.

“He’s been a coach in Pelham youth for quite some time and has spent his entire tenure at Pelham, coaching the next wave of great Pelham hockey players who are approaching the age where they are moving up to varsity,” said Cambria. “If he is the next coach, he will do right by the kids and keep the program heading in the right direction—and that’s the most important thing.”

Cambria will remain involved in skills development for Pelham teams.