The 2003-04 Harvard men’s hockey season may unfold on a series of wintry New England nights, but a big part of the Crimson’s identity in years to come will be determined during the dog days of August within the confines of Dillon Fieldhouse.

There, head coach Mark Mazzoleni will make phone calls and interview candidates to replace top assistant and recruiting coordinator Nate Leaman, who accepted the head job at Union College last week.

During the first half of his four-year tenure in Cambridge, Leaman, known for his recruiting savvy, teamed with then-Harvard assistant Ron Rolston to recruit the 16 seniors and juniors who make this year’s edition of the Crimson the early favorite to win the ECAC.

So over the next two years, it’s up to Sean McCann ’94—who hadn’t coached before last season—and Leaman’s replacement to bring in 16 new players capable of building on the rebirth of a program that has made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in a decade.

“This could be a critical time for that program,” said one ECAC coach. “They’re going to be very good this year. They’ve got an excellent senior class and an excellent junior class.

“Now they need to have a big recruiting year to keep that up.”

Mazzoleni said interviews would take place next week, though he isn’t sure how many finalists there will be. He hopes to make a decision by the middle of the month.

The position is at Harvard salary grade 56, which brings in annual earnings between $41,200 and $68,700. The title is posted as first assistant/recruiting coordinator, but Mazzoleni said the division of responsibilities between McCann and the new hire has yet to be determined.

“We’ve advertised Nate Leaman’s position, but I could also bump up Sean McCann to that position,” Mazzoleni said. “Or I could have Sean in that position but hire a recruiting coordinator.

“We’re not specific about what our needs are at this point. We’re just looking for the best person to compliment Sean and me and meet the needs of our program.”

Mazzoleni did not disclose the names of applicants, though he acknowledged that he has benefited from having gone through a similar process last summer when he hired McCann to replace Rolston.

“I have an idea of who’s out there, even though new people emerge, too,” Mazzoleni said. “You have a heads-up on it because the same people express interest.”

For that reason, multiple coaches said they expect Brown assistant Danny Brooks, a finalist for the Harvard opening last summer, to be a top candidate again.

Brooks could not be reached for comment, though an ECAC coach said Brooks was “the only name” he had heard in connection with the position.

“[Brooks] is a guy who I know is interested,” the coach said. “And he’s a good recruiter.”