Maine Black Bears Women's Ice Hockey
The Maine Black Bears Women's Ice Hockey Team is a collegiate ice hockey team based in the University of Maine. The team competes in the Hockey East conference and has been one of the top teams in the conference since its inception in 2002. The team has a rich history of success, including back-to-back conference championships in 2003 and 2004, and has produced numerous professional players.
The History of the Maine Black Bears Women's Ice Hockey Team
The Maine Black Bears Women's Ice Hockey Team was founded in 1997 and played its first season in 1998. The team competed in the ECAC conference from 1998 to 2002 before joining Hockey East. The team has had a total of four different head coaches, with Richard Reichenbach serving as the first head coach, followed by Rick Filighera, Guy Perron, and current head coach, Richard Reichenbach. The team has had numerous successful seasons, including the aforementioned back-to-back conference championships in 2003 and 2004, and has produced several professional players, including current NWHL players, Audra Richards and Alyson Matteau.
The Current Roster and Coaching Staff
As of the 2021-2022 season, the Maine Black Bears Women's Ice Hockey Team has a roster of 24 players, including 10 newcomers. The team is led by head coach, Richard Reichenbach, who has been with the team since 2018. Coach Reichenbach brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously coached at Niagara University, University of Vermont, and Ohio State University.
The 2021-2022 Season Outlook
The Maine Black Bears Women's Ice Hockey Team is looking to build on its success from last season, where the team finished with an overall record of 11-11-2. The team's strength lies in its returning players, including senior forward, Ida Kuoppala, who led the team in scoring last season with 17 points. The team is also looking to integrate its newcomers into the lineup, including freshman forward, Maria Siemionow, who was a member of the Swedish National U18 team.
The Importance of Women's Ice Hockey
The Maine Black Bears Women's Ice Hockey Team is not only a source of pride for the University of Maine, but also for women's ice hockey as a whole. Women's ice hockey has been gaining popularity in recent years, with the growth of professional leagues such as the NWHL and the CWHL. The exposure that college teams such as the Maine Black Bears receive is crucial in helping to grow the sport and provide more opportunities for female athletes to continue playing at a high level after college.
