NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College athletic department on Friday named Courtney Kennedy the head coach of the women's ice hockey team.
Kennedy arrives at Merrimack with two decades of coaching experience, including 17 seasons in Hockey East. The Woburn, Mass., native currently serves as the head coach of the Under-18 USA Hockey team. Kennedy helped Team USA win gold at the 2026 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship in Nova Scotia earlier this year.
"Courtney rose to the top of a very talented and competitive pool of candidates as the ideal coach to lead our program at this time," Merrimack athletic director
Joe Foley said. "She is globally recognized as an elite recruiter, player developer, and leader of young women. I believe Merrimack women's ice hockey has the potential to compete for Hockey East and NCAA championships, and I am excited for Courtney's leadership in our pursuit of excellence."
Kennedy has worked in various roles within USA Hockey since 2013. During that time, she won two gold medals as an assistant for the U18 USA National Team (2017, 2018) and silver medals as an assistant coach of the USA National Team (2021) and Olympic National Team (2021-22). As the USA Hockey Defense Camp Director, Kennedy currently designs the on-ice development program for the highest-rated defensive prospects in the country.
"I am honored to join Merrimack College as the women's ice hockey coach," Kennedy said. "I am excited to get to work and get the team battle ready for next season. Let's Go Mack!"
In addition to Kennedy's experience in USA Hockey, she also worked in Hockey East for 17 seasons. Kennedy served as an assistant coach of the Boston College Eagles (2007-12) before she was promoted to associate head coach (2012-24). Kennedy recently worked in the professional ranks as the skill coach of the PWHL's Boston Fleet (2024-25).
Prior to her coaching career, Kennedy won a gold medal during the IIHF World Championships in Sweden (2005) and silver medal during the XX Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City (2002). She attended the University of Minnesota (1998-2001) where she won a national championship and was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Kennedy was inducted into the Minnesota "M" Club Hall of Fame in 2008.
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