Sheary replaces Apps as new Boston College women’s assistant

Former New Hampshire captain Courtney Sheary has joined the Boston College women’s hockey team as an assistant coach.

Sheary will work with the team’s forwards and handle the team’s video scouting system, as well as assist in recruiting and team administrative duties. She replaces Gillian Apps, who departed the staff in July to enroll in the Tuck School of Business at her alma mater, Dartmouth.

Sheary comes to The Heights after one season on staff at Dartmouth as the Big Green’s second assistant coach, where she worked with the defense under Canada Women’s National Team coach Laura Schuler.

“Courtney brings a lot of hockey experience to our team,” BC head coach Katie Crowley said in a statement. “She played in Hockey East on very successful UNH teams, so she understands what it means to play in – and win in – this conference. Her experience will help our student-athletes on the ice and in the classroom everyday.”

Before moving to Hanover, Sheary spent five years at her high school alma mater, Cushing Academy, where she was the school’s assistant athletics director and coached girls’ varsity hockey. Sheary co-coached the Penguins to the NEPSAC semifinal appearances in 2013 and 2014 before being named head coach ahead of the 2014-15 season.

Sheary was a member of the UNH women’s hockey program for five years, capping her senior season as a team captain. Sheary helped lead the Wildcats to four Hockey East regular-season titles and three Hockey East tournament titles (2007, 2008, 2009), as well as three NCAA tournament berths.

She graduated from New Hampshire with a degree in sociology in 2011 and following her collegiate career, Sheary was drafted by the Boston Blades of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

A member of a strong hockey family, Courtney’s brother, Conor, is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Her father, Kevin, is a 1982 Boston College graduate.