Palmer joined the organization for the 2019-20 season after serving as the director of hockey operations for the Cornell Big Red for three seasons following a season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Big Red in 2015-16. During his time as director of hockey operations, Cornell has posted a 67-26-11 record and earned three at-large bids to the NCAA tournament. Among other duties in his first season, Palmer served as a goaltending coach for the team’s trio of Mitch Gillam, Hayden Stewart and Ryan Coon. Gillam posted seven shutouts during the 2015-16 season — which is now tied for the fourth most in a single season in program history.
 
A native of Utica, New York, Palmer is the founder and primary instructor of Syracuse-based Palmer Goalie Systems, where he provides personal instruction and video analysis to more than 30 area goaltenders who compete at the AAA, prep school, junior and college levels. He also serves as goaltending consultant with Mountain Hockey Instruction and Syracuse Empire Junior Stars and he serves as a talent evaluator for USA Hockey Festival Central New York tryout camp.
 
As a player, Palmer appeared in 56 career ECHL games with the Florida Everblades, Gwinnett Gladiators, Reading Royals and Toledo Walleye from 2010 to 2012. He also skated in 36 career CHL contests with the Texas Brahmas in 2009-10 and Quad City Mallards in 2012-13.