University Of New Hampshire Women's Hockey
Ice hockey is a fast and furious sport that requires speed, skill and determination. The women's ice hockey team at the University of New Hampshire embodies all these qualities and more. With a long history of success, the team consistently ranks among the top teams in the nation. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the UNH women's hockey team, their history, players, coaches, and more.
History Of UNH Women's Hockey
UNH women's hockey began in 1977 as a club team, and became an official varsity sport in 1979. The team has had a lot of success over the years, including 23 appearances in the NCAA tournament and four Frozen Four appearances. In addition, the team has won six Hockey East championships, with the most recent being in the 2017-2018 season.
One of the most notable players to come out of the UNH women's hockey program is Kacey Bellamy, who played for the Wildcats from 2005-2009. Bellamy went on to play for Team USA in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 Winter Olympics, where she won two silver medals and one gold.
The Coaches
The UNH women's hockey team is led by head coach Hilary Witt, who has been at the helm since 2015. Witt had an impressive playing career herself, playing for the US Women's National team from 1997-2006, where she won two gold medals and one silver in the World Championships. She also played for the Boston Blades of the Canadian Women's Hockey League and was an assistant coach at Northeastern before taking over at UNH.
Assistant coaches Kelli Stack and Laura Bellamy bring impressive resumes as well. Stack, a former standout at Boston College, played for the US Women's National team from 2010-2017, winning a silver medal in the 2014 Olympics. Bellamy, a former goaltender at Harvard, played professionally in the CWHL and was a member of the US Women's National team from 2011-2015.
The Players
The UNH women's hockey team is made up of a talented group of players from all over North America. At the time of writing, the roster includes players from as far away as British Columbia and Alberta, as well as several players from the New England area.
One of the team's top players is sophomore forward Tamara Thierus, who led the team in scoring during the 2019-2020 season with 20 points. Another standout is senior defenseman Tori Howran, who was named to the Hockey East All-Conference First Team in the same season.
The Season Ahead
The 2020-2021 season is sure to be an exciting one for the UNH women's hockey team. With a talented group of players and coaches, the team is poised for another successful campaign. While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the usual schedule for college sports, the team is still expected to compete in a number of games against their Hockey East rivals.
Regardless of the outcome of the season, the UNH women's hockey team has a long tradition of excellence that they continue to build upon year after year. Whether you're a fan of college sports or just a fan of great hockey, the UNH women's hockey team is one to watch.
