Linstad Out

Head coach of UConn women’s hockey team, Heather Linstad, announced her resignation yesterday after 13 seasons with the Huskies.

Linstad has been coaching at UConn since the program was established in 2000. Before arriving at UConn, Linstad was head coach of Northeastern, where she coached for nine seasons. While at Northeastern, Lindstad won four Bean Pot titles and also the 1997 ECAC Championship.

During her tenure as head coach of UConn, Linstad led her team to two Hockey East Championship games. In 2005 the Huskies were defeated 3-1 by Providence College and in 2010 UConn dropped a 2-1 decision to Boston University.

She also coached Team USA to a silver medal in the 2012 U-18 IIHF World Championship, in which the Americans lost 3-0 to Canada in the final. According to Lindstad, coaching for her country was “a privilege and an honor.”

“It’s indescribable hearing your national anthem being played at the end of the game and having an impact on those young ladies,” Linstad said.

In a press release by UConn Athletics, Linstad said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the University of Connecticut for allowing me to build the women’s ice hockey program. I have enjoyed my 13 years here at UConn. It has been a wonderful privilege to work with some outstanding student-athletes during my tenure.”

Linstad’s resignation was a surprise to her players, who were also told about their coach’s departure yesterday.

“I think the entire team was surprised with the resignation, but we all wish her best in what comes next for her,” said sophomore forward Kayla Campero. “We’re all extremely thankful to her for getting us to where we are today, playing in a D1 program at an amazing school. Right now we have to look ahead and just focus on continuing our training throughout the spring and summer for next season. Bringing in a new coach will give us a fresh start that the team needs for next year.”

The announcement came after the women’s hockey team posted a disappointing 3-29-3 overall record and a 1-19-1 overall record in Hockey East play during the 2012-2013 season. This followed up last season’s equally disappointing campaign, where the Huskies went 3-15-3 in Hockey East and posted a 4-12-3 record overall.

Recently, the Huskies were eliminated 5-1 by No. 9 Boston University on Feb. 19 in the first round of this season’s Hockey East playoffs.

UConn has not released any information as of yet as to who will be Linstad’s successor.

“So far, we haven’t heard anything – just that they will begin the national search as soon as possible and hope to get someone in soon,” said Campero.