The Middle Atlantic Conference has announced that MAC men’s and women’s hockey will become an NCAA automatic qualifier sport beginning with the 2024-25 season.
The MAC has sponsored men’s and women’s hockey as a championship sport since 2017-18, but the MAC was not eligible for an NCAA championship automatic berth with fewer than six schools sponsoring the sports.
“This is the next logical step in the growth of ice hockey in the Middle Atlantic region,” said MAC executive director Megan Morrison in a statement. “The UCHC has been a good home for MAC institutions sponsoring ice hockey and we hope to continue that partnership through mutual scheduling arrangements to support the growth of the sport even further.”
In 2024-25, with the addition of Misericordia men’s hockey and Hood women’s hockey, under NCAA rules, the MAC will be immediately eligible for automatic berths in the NCAA Division III national tournaments.
With six institutions sponsoring men’s and women’s hockey in 2024-25, the MAC will develop a regular-season conference schedule, institute a championship and award an NCAA automatic qualifier. MAC schools sponsoring hockey will separate from the UCHC.
Men’s hockey will include Alvernia, Arcadia, King’s, Lebanon Valley, Misericordia, and Stevenson while Alvernia, Arcadia, Hood, King’s, Lebanon Valley, and Stevenson will compete in women’s hockey.
Trinity assistant men’s hockey coach C.J. Eick has left the Bantams after one season to take a similar position with the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks.
“Throughout the process of assessing candidates, it was evident that C.J. has a tremendous ability to communicate, is extremely personable and genuine, has vast playing experience and hockey knowledge, and is passionate and driven,” said Black Hawks head coach Matt Smaby in a statement. “We think C.J.’s going to be a great addition to our organization and someone that will be a wonderful resource for all of our players.”
During a four-season stint at Michigan Tech from 2012 to 2016, Eick helped the Huskies to the 2015 NCAA tournament and scored a goal in the Huskies’ regional overtime loss to St. Cloud State. Overall, he played in 145 college games, recording 14 goals and 38 assists.
Eick graduated from MTU with a bachelor’s degree in sports and fitness management.
Tyler Walsh is starting his sixth season with Colby in 2023-24 (photo: Colby Athletics).
Colby has promoted Tyler Walsh to assistant head coach with the Mules men’s hockey team.
Walsh, beginning his sixth season with Colby, started his tenure as assistant coach for the team in the 2018-19 season.
Before Colby, the 2014 graduate of Maine was the head hockey coach and assistant athletic director at North Yarmouth since 2016. Walsh was recruiting throughout New England and Canada during his time at NYA.
He started his coaching career as a student assistant coach under then-Maine coach Tim Whitehead in the 2012-13 season and stayed in Division I hockey as the director of hockey operations at Canisius in 2013-14.
Walsh then headed to Michigan to work as an assistant with USA Hockey’s NTDP.
Chatham has announced the addition of Jordan Ott to the women’s hockey coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Ott Joins Chatham after having spent the past three seasons as head coach at King’s.
Prior to King’s, Ott was the head softball coach at Potsdam.
“I am extremely excited to have Coach Ott join our staff here at Chatham,” Chatham head coach Mike O’Grady said in a statement. “Her hockey IQ and vision for how she wants to help our program were unmatched and I know she will be a tremendous resource for our players as we look to take another step forward this season.”
Ott brings professional hockey experience to the Cougars, having played for the NWHL’s Buffalo Beauts in 2017-18.
Ott was a four-year standout for both the women’s hockey and softball teams at Potsdam. She finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in goals, points, points per game, goals per game, game-winning goals, power-play goals and short-handed goals. In 2022, Ott was inducted into the Potsdam Athletics Hall of Fame.
In the classroom, Ott graduated with a B.A in Childhood/Early Childhood Education from Potsdam in 2017 and a Master’s of Science in Education in 2019.
Tyler Helton has been involved with UConn hockey since he was a freshman in the fall of 2013 (photo: UConn Athletics).
UConn has announced that Tyler Helton has been promoted to associate head coach heading into the 2023-24 season.
Helton is entering his sixth season on the UConn coaching staff and has been a part of the program since his freshman year in 2013.
“Since he has joined our program, Tyler’s contributions to UConn hockey have been immeasurable,” said Huskies head coach Mike Cavanaugh in a statement. “He is a great young coach in the sport, I am thrilled to announce his new role and have him as a part of my staff.”
Helton has been involved in multiple facets of the program, working with the Huskies defensemen and special teams units while also assisting with all aspects of recruiting.
“I could not be more excited to continue my coaching career at the University of Connecticut,” said Helton. “I would like to thank Coach Cavanaugh and David Benedict for all the support they have given through the process and entrusting me with this responsibility. UConn has been my home since 2013 and I am glad I can continue to work at such an amazing university.”
Away from Storrs, Helton has worked with USA Hockey district camps in New England and the Atlantic regions since the fall of 2016, scouting and evaluating top players and assisting with practice planning. He worked as a coach at the Western Regional High-Performance Camp in 2017 and 2018, working with players from the western United States. He began working with USA Hockey at the national camp in the summer of 2014 and has been a part of that program every summer ever since, coaching and evaluating players and assisting with player selection for the U17 and U16 teams.
Christiano Versich has been named the next assistant coach of the Canton men’s hockey program.
Versich, a 2021 graduate of St. Thomas, also spent three seasons with Colorado College. He comes to Canton after playing professional hockey last season for Cergy-Pontoise in the France Ligue Magnus and for DEAC in the Erste Liga in Hungary.
“I am ecstatic to have Christiano part of our program and working with our players this year,” said Roos head coach Alex Boak in a statement. “I think Christiano will bring a vast knowledge of the game from his experience playing at the Division I level as well as the professional ranks overseas. Our players and I will benefit from having Christiano part of our staff and he will certainly enhance our players development and performance on the ice this season and beyond.”
During his time at Colorado College, Verisch recorded 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 106 games. After transferring back closer to home to St. Thomas, he recorded five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 31 games.
“I am extremely grateful, honored and excited for the opportunity to join SUNY Canton’s coaching staff,” Versich said. “I cannot wait to get started with the team and Coach Boak. I am looking forward to assisting and continuing to build a special program that is already in place in every aspect I can.”
Prior to taking the reins at Arcadia, Vincent Pietrangelo was a volunteer assistant coach at Ferris State (USCHO file photo).
The Lake Superior State hockey team has added Vincent Pietrangelo as an assistant coach.
Pietrangelo has spent the past two seasons as the head coach of Arcadia, where he led the Knights to an 11-37-3 overall record.
“We want to welcome Vinny to Laker hockey,” said LSSU head coach Damon Whitten in a statement. “We are looking forward to his addition to our staff and program.”
Prior to his time with Arcadia, Pietrangelo served as the lead assistant coach for Canton.
Pietrangelo has also served as a volunteer assistant coach at Ferris State during the 2015-16 season, working with skill development, video breakdown, statistical analysis, and practice planning.
As a player, Pietrangelo was a defenseman at Finlandia, where he was one of only two freshmen to dress every game during the 2010-11 season.
“We’ve been fortunate to get to know Vinny, working with him the last few summers,” Whitten said. “He brings tremendous passion and energy to the game. Among his greatest strengths are his ability to relate and connect with players, allowing for maximum development, and as a former head coach, he will bring a unique perspective to our staff as well.”
Pietrangelo graduated with a bachelor of science in healthcare services administration from Ferris State in 2015, and he earned a master’s degree in sport management from Cortland in 2021.
Riley Colvard spent last season coaching with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers (photo: Des Moines Buccaneers).
Bentley has announced the hiring of Riley Colvard as an assistant coach with the men’s hockey team.
Colvard spent the previous six seasons as an assistant coach in the USHL and NAHL junior hockey ranks.
“I am thrilled to be adding Riley to our hockey program’s coaching staff,” said Bentley head coach Andy Jones in a statement. “I have known Riley for many years and have watched him grow tremendously as a coach and a leader during his time in the USHL. He has a strong work ethic, is detailed oriented, and has a passion for both player development and recruiting. We are excited to welcome Riley and his wife Mariah to the Bentley community.”
Colvard was an assistant coach with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers last season and helped the team reach the league playoffs.
Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach and director of scouting with the Sioux Falls Stampede from 2018 to 2022. He helped lead the Stampede to the 2019 Clark Cup as USHL champions.
His first stop as a coach was as an assistant with the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness during the 2017-18 season.
Colvard is a 2017 graduate of Wisconsin-Stout, where he played on the men’s hockey team for four years.
He takes over a team that went 3-19-1 last winter, including 2-13-1 in the NEHC, finishing one spot shy of the postseason.
“This team deserves the stability and consistency to showcase its true talents,” said Chipman in a statement. “I couldn’t be more excited to get started.”
A three-year captain on the Panthers men’s team, Chipman helped lift Plymouth State to four straight NCAA tournament appearances during his time from 2018 to 2023.
“We are all so excited to have Ben joining our athletic department team,” said Plymouth State director of athletics Kim Bownes. “His knowledge of and passion for Plymouth State is unrivaled. His years in the hockey world and desire to succeed are infectious.”
In addition to his success on the ice, he was involved with several campus organizations including the Student Business Advisory Council, business school corporate sponsor speaker, international orientation leader, and International Business Club. A four-time MASCAC fall/winter and winter/spring all-academic team member, he achieved President’s List honors with a perfect GPA every semester.
“It has been a true honor to represent Plymouth State as a student-athlete for the past five years,” said Chipman. “I am grateful for the opportunity to return. I look forward to providing the mentorship that will create success on the ice, as well as forge numerous opportunities away from it, to help the players maximize their potential as all-around student-athletes. It is important to me that they feel valued and supported in overcoming challenges; ultimately enhancing their overall experience at PSU. I would like to extend my gratitude to the selection committee and current players for believing in my abilities and giving me the opportunity to offer a progressive, new outlook for the program.”
Chipman’s coaching experience includes five years with Plymouth State Youth Hockey, as well as time with BCHL and AJHL junior hockey players at the STIX Collegiate Cup Showcase last summer. He also spent two seasons coaching for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for Children in Yarmouth, N.S.
Earl Utter formerly coached the Wilkes women’s hockey team, stepping down in 2022 (photo: Steve Finkernagel).
Hilbert has named Earl Utter as the new head coach for the women’s hockey team, taking over for Cole Klubek.
Utter’s previous experience starting a pair of first-year Division III hockey programs will guide him as he leads the Hawks into their second season of competition in 2023-24.
“I am excited to hire a coach for our women’s hockey program with Earl’s experience,” said Hilbert athletic director Tim Seil in a statement. “Earl has proven he can have success with young programs at the Division III level. Given his ties to the region, he is a great fit for Hilbert College. We look forward to him leading the Hawks into year two.”
The Rochester, N.Y., native recently served as the Wilkes women’s head coach, where he began building the roster in 2017 in anticipation of their first season of NCAA competition in 2018-19. The Colonels went 5-17-1 in 2019-20, his second season, before the pandemic interrupted the program’s progression the following year.
“I would like to thank Dr. Brophy, director of athletics Tim Seil, and God for giving me this opportunity to continue to build the women’s hockey program at Hilbert College,” said Utter. “I am excited to join the Hilbert community, and I look forward to building the women’s hockey program into a mountain from a little hill.”
Utter was the women’s head coach at Cortland for nine seasons prior and guided them to two straight ECAC West playoff appearances in 2014-15 and 2015-16 before he moved to Wilkes.
From 1997 to 2007, Utter compiled an overall record of 177-60-13 at Morrisville and led the men’s program in its transition from the junior college to NCAA Division III ranks. He guided the Mustangs to four NJCAA national titles, including three straight from 2004 to 2006 and four in five years. He was named the NJCAA national coach of the year three times.
Utter was also chosen as the Eastern Junior College Hockey League coach of the year on three occasions.
Prior to Morrisville, Utter spent two seasons as a volunteer men’s and women’s assistant coach at Cornell for two seasons. He has also coached in the NAHL and at the high school and midget levels.
In the summer, Utter worked for USA Hockey as an instructor at national player development camps and as a lecturer in the USA Hockey coaching development programs. He has worked with coaching staffs of two under-22 national women’s teams.
Utter has a bachelor’s degree from Brockport and a master’s degree from Western Michigan.
Ben Murphy comes to RPI from Bentley (photo: Brett Bosley).
The Rensselaer women’s hockey team has added Ben Murphy as an assistant coach.
A veteran of nearly 15 years as a collegiate coach, Murphy was previously an assistant coach at Bentley, where he worked with the men’s program from the 2009-10 season until the 2018-19 season and again in the 2022-23 season.
Between his stints with Bentley, the second of which when he was the associate head coach, Murphy spent three years at St. Lawrence, where he helped the men’s team to an ECAC Hockey title in 2020-21.
Murphy’s first experience as a collegiate coach was as a graduate assistant coach at Castleton. He also served as an assistant coach with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder.
A 2005 graduate of Maine, Murphy helped the Black Bears to NCAA tournament appearances all four seasons, including national championship game appearances in 2002 and 2005.
He went on to play professionally in Wichita for the 2005-06 season.
Arcadia has announced the elevation of Patrick Carroll to the interim position of head men’s hockey coach.
Carroll will begin his duties on Sept. 1.
No reason was given by Arcadia in the announcement regarding former coach Vincent Pietrangelo.
“I would like to thank (director of athletics) Brian Granata and (associate director of athletics) Mike Hebenstreit for giving me the opportunity to lead the men’s ice hockey team this season,” Carroll said in a statement. “I hope to make this transition as smooth as possible for all of our players and continue to grow this program during the 2023-24 season.”
Carroll spent last season as the top assistant with the Knights, helping the program reach new heights with its first-ever trip to the UCHC tournament in just their second season as a varsity program.
Prior to his time on Arcadia’s bench, Carroll spent three seasons as the head coach of Temple’s ACHA Division I team, one season as an assistant at fellow UCHC member King’s, and four years at ACHA D-I Lehigh.
“Coach Carroll made a strong impression on our program last season and worked diligently to support our student-athletes,” Granata said. “His experiences at Temple, King’s and Lehigh will serve him well as he transitions into this new role at Arcadia. We look forward to the continued development of our program under his leadership.”
Carroll graduated from Slippery Rock with a degree in communications, where he was a four-year member and captain of the men’s hockey team.
Army West Point has announced the hiring of Chris Azzano and Jack Riley as new assistant coaches.
Riley served as the director of hockey operations this past season.
Azzano spent the past three seasons on the staff at Colgate, serving as an assistant coach for the 2022-23 after a two-year stint as a volunteer assistant with the Raiders.
“We are very excited to add Chris to our staff,” said Army West Point head coach Brian Riley in a statement. “As an assistant coach, he played a key role last year in helping Colgate win the ECAC championship and get to the NCAA tournament. Chris has gained valuable coaching experience over the years and there’s no doubt that his goalie background will have an immediate and positive impact on our program. Most importantly, I know that Chris will be a great mentor and role model for our cadet-athletes. We are very excited to welcome Chris and his wife Amy to the Army hockey family.
“Jack is certainly no stranger to our program as he served as our director of operations last season. Because of the relationships that he established with our players last year, his transition to assistant coach will be an easy one. Jack knows this league very well as he was a former outstanding player in Atlantic Hockey. He has a great hockey mind and I know that he will be able to have a positive impact with our players both on and off the ice. The bottom line is Jack has grown up around Army West Point athletics, and in particular Army West Point hockey, and I’m not sure if we could’ve found anybody with a greater love and passion for our program and this academy.”
Prior to Colgate, Azzano also worked as an assistant coach at Morrisville from 2019 to 2022. He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL.
Before the Stars, Azzano spent two seasons on the bench with Cortland, serving as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator. Azzano got his collegiate coaching start at Canton, where he was the assistant coach for the men’s program during the 2014-15 season.
Before coaching, Azzano spent three seasons with the Mustangs as a goaltender, where he was a three-time SUNYAC all-academic team and two-time SUNYAC Commissioner’s List recipient for excellence in academics and athletics.
He earned his bachelor of business administration from Morrisville in 2014 before earning his master of science in sports management from Cortland in 2017.
Jack Riley was a Hobey Baker nominee and Atlantic Hockey all-conference selection during his playing career at Mercyhurst and joined the Army staff in Aug. 2022 after serving as an assistant coach at Albertus Magnus.
During his year-long stint with the Falcons, Riley also served as the video and recruiting coordinator along with handling various administrative duties for the staff. Prior to joining Albertus Magnus in 2021, Riley spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Manhattanville where he obtained his master’s degree in sports business management. With the Valiants, Riley also served as the recruiting coordinator while being the team’s power play and video coach.
Riley also served as a two-time captain for Mercyhurst during his collegiate playing career. During his tenure with the Lakers, Riley made an immediate impact, being named to the Atlantic Hockey all-rookie team in 2014-15. Riley scored over 100 points in his career, highlighted by his senior season where he was named Atlantic Hockey’s top defensive forward along with all-conference second team honors. Riley graduated from Mercyhurst with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2018.
Jordan Schmaltz (left) and Dillon Simpson pictured during a 2014 NCHC tournament game against Western Michigan at the Target Center in Minneapolis (USCHO.com file photo).
North Dakota has announced that former North Dakota defenseman and team captain Dillon Simpson will return to the program as the third assistant coach.
“We are very excited in welcoming Dillon Simpson and his family back to our North Dakota hockey family,” said UND head coach Brad Berry in a statement. “Dillon brings a wealth of experience from the collegiate and most recently, the professional hockey level. He will make an immediate impact with our group from a hockey development standpoint. His experience working with young defenseman at an elite pro level combined with his impeccable character and his ability to connect with people will make him a valuable addition to our hockey program.”
Simpson returns to North Dakota following a strong professional playing career, amassing nearly 500 career games in the AHL over nine seasons. After spending four years with the Edmonton Oilers organization, Simpson spent his final five seasons with the Cleveland Monsters, wearing a letter for the team in each of those years.
He served as the captain for the Monsters from 2021 to 2023, earning the organization’s man of the year award this spring for his off-ice contributions to the community.
Simpson spent four seasons at North Dakota from 2010 to 2014, helping the program reach the NCAA tournament in each of the four years, including two NCAA Frozen Four berths in 2011 and 2014. Over his career, Simpson appeared in 156 games, tallying 16 goals and 59 assists for 75 points.
He captained the 2013-14 UND squad to the NCAA Frozen Four, knocking off top-seeded Wisconsin and Ferris State in the regionals in Cincinnati.
Simpson earned his bachelor’s degree in managerial finance and accounting from North Dakota in 2014.
The new playoff model was unanimously approved by the NCHC Athletic Council (member athletic directors).
All nine teams will qualify for the NCHC playoffs in 2025. A play-in game between the No. 8 seed and the No. 9 seed will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 prior to the best-of-three quarterfinal series. The play-in game will be held at the site of the No. 1 seed in the NCHC tournament. The winner of the play-in game will remain to face the No. 1 seed in a best-of-three series the following Friday through Sunday.
The best-of-three quarterfinal series, which have historically been the first round of the NCHC tournament, will remain as they have been. While the No. 1 seed will take on either the No. 8 or No. 9 seed, the No. 2 seed will host the No. 7 seed, the No. 3 seed will host the No. 6 seed and the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed. The NCHC quarterfinals in 2025 will take place from Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 16 (if necessary).
Like in previous NCHC tournaments, the four quarterfinal series winners in 2025 will then advance to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn. The four advancing teams will be re-seeded with semifinals taking place on Friday, March 21, 2025 and the 2025 championship game set for Saturday, March 22.
The full 2024-25 conference schedule will be released in the spring following the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.
The 2024 NCHC tournament and Frozen Faceoff format remains unchanged, with quarterfinals on March 15-17, 2024 and the Frozen Faceoff on March 22-23. The format for the 2026 NCHC postseason and beyond is still to be determined.
Miami has announced that Adam Phillips has been named assistant to the head coach.
Phillips previously served as an assistant coach at Adrian.
“I am honored and extremely excited to be joining the Miami University hockey program,” Phillips said in a statement. “I feel very fortunate to be able to work with such a great staff and group of student-athletes. I’m really looking forward to getting the season started.”
During Phillips’ time with the Bulldogs, the program won the 2022 national title and finished as national runner-up in 2023. Adrian also earned the NCHA Harris Cup in 2022 and 2023 and claimed the NCHA Peters Cup in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Phillips’ responsibilities at Adrian included helping with daily practice planning, game operation, pre-scout meetings and presenting video to the team, special teams, recruiting and academics.
Phillips’ previous positions include assistant coach for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks (2022), interim head coach and assistant coach for the NAHL’s Odessa Jackalopes (2019-20) and player development coach with Total Package Hockey (2015-19).
He played at UMass from 2010 to 2014, producing 50 points (23 goals, 27 assists) across 124 games. Phillips also had a five-year ECHL career after graduation.
Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass.
Brittney Gout played three seasons for the Saints (photo: C A Hill Photo).
St. Lawrence has announced the hiring of Brittney Gout as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
“It is with great enthusiasm we welcome Brit officially to our staff,” said St. Lawrence head coach Chris Wells in a statement. “Brit will be one of the many successful young coaches that are entering the game now. She has a great demeanor around our players and has done a fabulous job in her role as a leader and coach of our team.”
During the 2022-23 season, Gout served as a graduate assistant coach for the Saints and prior to that, played three years on the ice for SLU.
On the ice, she served as an alternate captain, playing in 79 games and recording 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points. She scored four power-play goals and four game winners.
Prior to her time with the Saints, Gout spent two seasons at RIT, where she scored 10 goals and added 21 assists in 66 career games. She ranked second on the team in scoring as a sophomore with 18 points in 34 games.
“I would like to thank Bob Durocher, the rest of the administration, as well as Chris Wells for the chance to continue to be a part of such an amazing program,” said Gout. “I am extremely honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to join the program for the upcoming season. Chris, Mare and Ted all have incredible experience, knowledge and heart and having the ability to learn from and contribute to one of the most well-respected coaching staffs in the nation is something that is irreplaceable.
“This group of student-athletes exemplifies all characteristics of what it means to be a Saint and I am eager to contribute and learn from this group.”
Gout graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Exercise Science and Sports Studies and a Master of Arts in Leadership from St. Lawrence.
Chatham has announced that assistant men’s hockey coach Bill Connelly will serve as the interim head coach for the 2023-24 season following the departure of Michael Gershon.
Gershon left the school for an associate head coach job with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers.
“I feel confident that Coach Connelly is well prepared to lead our team and that he has the full support of our student-athletes,” said Chatham VP of athletics and recreation Leonard Trevino in a statement. “I look forward to seeing our team compete this season and fully expect that they will be one of the top programs in the UCHC.”
Connelly joined Chatham in 2017-18, the first year of the program. The upcoming season will mark his seventh on the staff, the most of any coach.
A Pittsburgh native, Connelly began his coaching career at the age of 19 and served as the head coach for Central Catholic High School for 10 years, along with five years of Tier 1 hockey in the Mid-American District with the Pittsburgh Vengeance. Connelly has made two appearances at the USA Hockey National Championships.
Connelly is a 2009 graduate of Virginia Tech School of Visual Arts, where he was awarded the Dean and Rosina Carter Endowment Scholarship for Sculpture and the SOVA Most Outstanding Graduating Senior Award.
Will Francis has skated in 33 games the past two seasons for UMD (photo: Terry Cartie Norton).
Minnesota Duluth junior defenseman Will Francis announced today that his cancer has returned and he’ll miss the first half of the upcoming 2023-24 season.
He plans on returning to the team in January.
A statement from @UMDMensHockey junior defenseman Will Francis.
Lindenwood has announced the addition of Rhea Coad as assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Rhea Coad to our staff,” said Lindenwood women’s hockey head coach Taylor Wasylk in a statement. “She is a proven leader in the women’s hockey world, and I know that her work ethic and relatability will have a profound impact on both our student athletes and the greater Lindenwood community.”
Coad most recently completed her second season at the helm of the Buffalo Beauts women’s pro hockey team. Coad began her tenure with the Beauts in 2019-20 as an assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach in 2020-21.
Coad spent three years as an assistant coach at Nazareth and was a part of the staff during the team’s inaugural year in 2018-19. During her time in Rochester, N.Y., the Golden Flyers compiled a record of 45-12-5. Coad worked with four all-conference selections during her tenure while the staff earned UCHC coaching staff of the year in 2019.
A four-year member of the women’s hockey program at Canton, Coad was team captain for the 2016-17 season. She was the 2017 recipient of the SUNY Canton Pillars of Character Award.
Coad also played softball and golf at the collegiate level.
Coad graduated from Canton in 2018 with a degree in Health and Fitness Promotion. She went on to obtain her Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs and Administrative Degree from Nazareth in 2021.
The Middle Atlantic Conference has announced that MAC men’s and women’s hockey will become an NCAA automatic qualifier sport beginning with the 2024-25 season.
