Merrimack Signs Erin Hamlen to Multi-Year Contract Extension
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Merrimack College head women's hockey coach Erin Hamlen has agreed to a multi-year contract extension.
"Coach Hamlen's contract extension reflects Merrimack's commitment to her and her leadership," said Director of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. "She embodies the values of the College and has done an outstanding job of launching our women's hockey program in Hockey East and at the Division I level. I am pleased she will continue as our head coach and remain part of the Merrimack community."
"My family and I are grateful for the opportunity that Merrimack has given me," said Hamlen. "I cannot give nearly enough praise to President Hopey, Jeremy Gibson, our women's hockey staff, student-athletes, and administrative staff. I am excited and honored to lead the Warriors to many successful seasons in the upcoming years."
Hamlen led Merrimack into Hockey East and Division I hockey in 2015-16. In the program's first year, she guided a Warrior team of 16 freshmen, four redshirt freshmen and two juniors to a five-win season. Leading Hockey East in attendance, Merrimack earned its first win in program history against Hockey East rival and Hamlen's alma mater New Hampshire over Homecoming Weekend. Merrimack also picked up victories over Brown, Colgate, and Vermont.
Two of Hamlen's freshmen, Paige Voight (St. Michael, MN) and Samantha Ridgewell (Outlook, SK) earned Hockey East All-Rookie honors for their efforts. Merrimack was also very successful in the classroom in the program's first year, as 17 student-athletes were named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team. Merrimack had three Top Scholar-Athletes, Dominique Kremer (West Fargo, N.D.), Paige Sorensen (Plymouth, MN), Madison Morey (Fairbanks, AK), most in the league.
Hamlen, who led the University of New England women's hockey team during its inaugural season in 2012-13, was hired by Merrimack on June 24, 2013.
Hamlen's staff includes Brent Hill, who was elevated to Associate Head Coach last summer, and Steph Moberg, who joined Merrimack this season after serving as head coach at Castleton.
Hamlen spent a decade on the UNH coaching staff and has also coached at the national level, winning a gold medal with the USA Hockey U-18 Select Team in 2007-08 and a silver medal with the United States at the IIHF World Championships. She was also the first-ever head coach of the Boston Blades.
During her decorated playing career, Hamlen, who holds a degree in psychology, was a four-time First-Team All-Star selection at UNH from 1989-93. The ECAC Goaltender of the Year in 1992, she still ranks among the Wildcats' all-time leaders in victories, minutes played, and shutouts.
Hamlen was also the starting goaltender for the United States Women's National Ice Hockey Team from 1992-1997, and again from 1999-2000, earning USA Hockey Women's Player of the Year honors in 1994. She also played professionally for four different men's hockey organizations in the United States.
A Glens Falls, N.Y., native, Hamlen and her husband, Tim, reside in Hampton, N.H. with their two young children.
