2009-2010 is Brian Akashian's eighth season as an assistant coach at his alma mater. A former Crusader captain, Akashian's responsibilities for the Holy Cross hockey program include working with the Crusader defense and assisting with special teams. Before returning to Holy Cross, Akashian spent one season as a graduate assistant at Suffolk University (ECAC Northeast, NCAA Division III) while attending law school.

A four-year letterwinner with the Crusaders from 1997-2001 as a forward under head coach Paul Pearl, Akashian appeared in 102 games for Holy Cross and helped lead the Crusaders to the MAAC Championship in 1999. Following his junior season, Akashian was named the recipient of the Crusaders' Seventh Player Award (given to a Holy Cross hockey player who performed above expectations as voted by his teammates) after leading the team in goals with 15. During his career at Holy Cross, he tallied 20 goals and 18 assists for 38 points and served as co-captain his senior year.

Akashian has instructed and been a coach at several of New England's premier hockey camps. He has served as an instructor at the Milton Academy Hockey School and the All-American Hockey Camp. Akashian also works with USA Hockey in the Massachusetts Satellite program and has served as a coach of the Northeast team in Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation's Bay State Games.

Akashian, who earned his Juris Doctorate in 2004 from Suffolk University Law School, is married to the former Lauren Murphy '00, who was a captain and standout swimmer for the Crusaders. The Akashians reside in Lowell with their son Ned.