Women’s Division I College Hockey: Weekend Wrap October 4, 2021

(1) Wisconsin at Merrimack Sarah Wozniewicz’s first collegiate goal proved to be the game-winner on Friday afternoon. Casey O’Brien scored twice, to give her eight goals on the year, Daryl Watts added three assists and Makenna Webster had a goal and two assists to lead Wisconsin to a 4-0 win. On Saturday, O’Brien, Webster, Watts … Read more

Robert Morris women’s hockey grad Welsh makes history as first female linesperson in OHL

The Ontario Hockey League on Thursday announced that Kirsten Welsh will become the first woman linesperson in OHL history. Originally from Blackstock, Ont., Welsh worked Thursday’s game between the host Mississauga Steelheads and visiting Guelph Storm and will also work Friday’s preseason game between the host Oshawa Generals and visiting Windsor Spitfires. She will be … Read more

Women’s Division I College Hockey: 2021-22 CHA season preview

Robert Morris cut their men’s and women’s hockey programs with little notice and many of the women’s team players have signed elsewhere. The Colonials won the CHA conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they lost to Northeastern in the opening round. There is an ongoing fight to reinstate the teams, but I’m … Read more

Penn State earns top spot in CHA women’s hockey preseason poll; Nittany Lions’ Zanon favorite for top player

Defending regular season champion Penn State tops the CHA preseason coaches’ poll, which was released Thursday. The Nittany Lions garnered four of four possible first-place votes in balloting among CHA head coaches (coaches could not vote for their own teams) for 20 points, three more than No. 2 Syracuse, which tallied 17 points and received … Read more

Schooley tabbed head coach, director of men’s, women’s hockey operations at Robert Morris; McLaughlin-Bittle named special assistant

Robert Morris announced Tuesday that Derek Schooley has been named head coach and director of men’s and women’s hockey operations. “Naming Derek as the head coach and director of operations for both teams adds stability as we continue to work with the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation in the goal of reinstating both teams,” RMU vice … Read more

Lindenwood promotes women’s hockey assistant Kehoe to associate head coach role

Lindenwood has announced that assistant coach Kristi Kehoe has been elevated to the position of associate head coach. Kehoe will be entering her third season as a member of the coaching staff in 2021-22. “Kristi plays a valuable role in establishing the team culture of our program,” said Lindenwood head coach Shelley Looney in a … Read more

Mercyhurst names former Lindenwood coach Spencer to assistant coach role with Lakers’ women’s hockey team

Mercyhurst has named Scott Spencer an assistant coach for the Lakers’ women’s hockey team. Spencer comes to Erie with over 15 years of coaching experience. In 2014, Spencer was named the first ever head coach at Lindenwood and currently holds the top spot for most wins at the school with 42. “I’m extremely excited to … Read more

Saint Anselm tabs former Robert Morris staffer Ferrainola to assistant coach role with women’s hockey team

Saint Anselm has announced the hire of Vinnie Ferrainola as a full-time assistant coach for the women’s hockey team. Ferrainola comes to the Hawks from Robert Morris, where he served as the director of hockey operations for the Colonials’ women’s hockey team from October 2020 through May 2021. “I am very excited to welcome Vinnie … Read more

Robert Morris announces new fundraising initiative to reinstate men’s, women’s college hockey teams

The Robert Morris Department of Athletics announced Wednesday the “Hockey Is The Goal” campaign to encourage raising funds to support the reinstatement of the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs. No set amount was noted in a university news release. “We’re encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans, donors, alumni and the … Read more

After three seasons at Robert Morris, Marino signs NWHL contract with Toronto, a team ‘that values the professional aspect of women’s hockey’

The Toronto Six announced this past week that the team has signed forward Leah Marino, the youngest player picked in last month’s NWHL Draft, to her first professional contract. “I am beyond excited to get started and play in the NWHL,” said Marino to the Six website. “After the sudden discontinuation of the Robert Morris … Read more

Robert Morris, Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation raising funds to reinstate Colonials’ men’s, women’s hockey teams

Robert Morris University and the newly-formed Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation have announced that they will partner together in an effort to raise sufficient funds to support the reinstatement of RMU’s NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs in time for the 2021-22 season. The university announced May 26 that it would discontinue the two … Read more

Colorado College tabs former Penn State women’s hockey ops director Demczuk for same gig with Tigers

Chris Demczuk has been named the director of hockey operations at Colorado College, replacing Travis Culhane, who took the same job at Denver on Monday. Demczuk served as the video analyst and assisted with team services for the AHL’s Stockton Heat the last two seasons. He led video operations, oversaw the team’s operational budget, coordinated … Read more

Mercyhurst announces extensions for men’s hockey coach Gotkin, women’s hockey coach Sisti

Mercyhurst announced this week contract extensions for men’s hockey head coach Rick Gotkin and women’s hockey head coach Michael Sisti. “It is an exciting time for Mercyhurst Athletics as we prepare to resume normal operations this fall, while two opening two facilities that will rank among the best in our region,” said Mercyhurst director of … Read more

Former Robert Morris women’s assistant Kindret takes reins of Saint Anselm women’s college hockey program

Saint Anselm has hired Jen Kindret to serve as the school’s head coach for women’s hockey, becoming just the third individual to lead the Hawks program since its inception. Kindret comes to the Hilltop from Robert Morris where she served a two-year stint as the top assistant coach for the Colonials. Helping the team to … Read more

Newly created Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation looking to ‘right this wrong,’ bring Robert Morris men’s, women’s teams back into fold

A new entity, the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation, released a statement Wednesday evening introducing itself and proclaiming its intentions to bring back the Robert Morris men’s and women’s college hockey teams. Both teams were cut by the university in May, citing a “series of strategic initiatives.” Following that announcement, RMU men’s coach Derek Schooley said … Read more