Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey
Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of the University of Michigan. The team is a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The university's athletics program has a tradition of excellence, and the women's ice hockey team is no exception. The team has produced some of the best players in college hockey history.
History of Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey
Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey was established in 1994. The team played their first game on October 7, 1994, against the St. Mary's Huskies. The Wolverines lost the game 7-2, but the team held its own against superior opposition. In the team's first season, they had a record of 12-17-1.
In the early years, the Wolverines struggled to establish themselves as a competitive program. However, the team started to attract recruits from across North America, and by the early 2000s, they had become a force to be reckoned with in college hockey. Since then, the Wolverines have been a consistent presence in the rankings and have made several appearances in the NCAA tournament.
Coaches and Players of Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey
The program has had four head coaches since its inception. Jeff Jackson was the first coach of the Wolverines, and he led them to a 23-21-1 record in his two seasons at the helm. Mel Pearson took over in 1996 and led the team for 11 seasons, compiling a record of 181-145-29. Pearson was succeeded by Nancy Cox, who coached the team for two seasons from 2007 to 2009. The current head coach of the Wolverines is Kris Mayotte, who took over in 2019.
Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey has produced several notable players, including Hilary Knight, who is widely regarded as one of the best female hockey players in the world. Knight played for the Wolverines from 2007 to 2010 and led the team to two NCAA championships. Other notable players include Jenny Potter (1997-2000), who won three NCAA championships with the Wolverines, and Megan Keller (2015-2019), who won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2019.
Achievements of Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey
Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey has a proud history of success. The team has won two NCAA championships (in 2001 and 2012) and has appeared in the NCAA tournament 10 times. Additionally, the Wolverines have won three regular-season conference championships and three conference tournament championships. The program has produced several All-Americans and has had players compete for the United States national team.
Future of Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey
With a new coach at the helm, Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey is poised for continued success in the future. The program has a strong tradition of excellence and a culture of hard work and dedication. The Wolverines are consistently one of the top teams in the country and are sure to remain a force to be reckoned with in college hockey for years to come.
Conclusion
Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey is a program that has established itself as one of the best in college hockey. The team has a proud history of success, with two NCAA championships and multiple appearances in the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines have produced some of the best players in college hockey history and have a strong culture of excellence. With a new coach at the helm, the future looks bright for Michigan Wolverines Women's Ice Hockey.
