NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Merrimack Women's Ice Hockey head coach
Erin Hamlen announced the addition of
Kate Leary to the team's coaching staff for the 2021-22 season.
"Kate is a highly energetic and knowledgeable coach, and we are excited to add her to our staff," Hamlen said. "Our players will benefit from Kate's extensive playing experiences in Division I hockey and at the professional level in the NWHL and Europe. In addition, Kate is a talented skills coach, and will work with our forwards to help them further develop their offensive skill set."
Leary comes to Merrimack after a season as an assistant coach for the Saint Anselm College women's team in 2020-21. Prior to coaching, she had an accomplished collegiate career at Boston College, scoring 42 goals and 43 assists for 85 points (42-43--85) in 149 games. She contributed in the Eagles' run to four NCAA National Collegiate postseason appearances and three Frozen Fours. As a senior, she propelled her squad to a 34-3-2 record and is one of three players to have scored a hat trick in the Hockey East Tournament semifinals.
"I'm so excited to be here at Merrimack. This program is in a great place moving forward and I'm thrilled to be a part of continuing to build the team," Leary said. "Thank you so much to
Erin Hamlen for giving me this opportunity to join her and the staff as we look forward to a great season!"
Following her career with the Eagles, Leary played in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) with the Boston Blades for two seasons. She then competed with the Hockey Club Ladies Lugano in Switzerland for the Swiss Women's Hockey League A. Most recently, Leary played in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) with the Metropolitan Riveters where she was named NWHL Newcomer of the Year after the 2019-20 season.
As a coach, Leary assisted various organizations, including Hill Hockey, Elite Hockey Development, and Leprechauns Hockey. Leary received her first head coaching position at the Walpole Express, piloting its juniors' team in August 2019. At the same time, she served as the Director and Advisor for Trax Academy in Walpole, Mass., and was responsible for planning and leading on-ice skill development and tutoring high school students.
Leary excelled in the classroom, earning an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) All-Academic Award in the 2013-14 season. Leary also collected the Athletic Directors' Award for Academic Achievement in 2013 and went on to graduate in 2015 with a degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development and History.
Leary will make her debut on the bench on Friday, September 25 as the Warriors take on Minnesota State University-Mankato at Lawler Rink.
