Northeastern Huskies women's ice hockey

History

The women's varsity hockey program started in 1980 under Don MacLeod, who was named the coach the following season and led the program for ten seasons. Northeastern became the first national power in collegiate women's hockey under his direction. MacLeod was a former Massachusetts high school hockey coach at both Georgetown Junior/Senior High School and Saugus High School. Starting in the 1982–83 season, the Huskies had thirteen consecutive winning seasons, including six straight seasons of twenty or more wins between 1986–87 and 1991–92.

The program's best record was in 1987–88, when the undefeated squad finished 26–0–1, winning its first of three ECAC titles (the others coming in 1989 and 1997), at the time the effective national women's college championship. Northeastern has also been the ECAC finalist seven times, as well as winning twenty women's Beanpot tournaments, including nine straight between 1984 and 1991–92. The Huskies' all-time best mark for wins was in 2022–23 with 34 so far.

The program's career scoring leader is Alina Müller, currently with 98 goals and 156 assists for 254 points, while Kendall Coyne is the career goals leader with 141. Coyne also holds the single season goal and points record with 50 goals and 84 points in the 2015–2016 season. The previous single-season goal and points leader was Vicky Sunohara, with 51 goals and 78 points in 1988–89.

From 2017–2024, the Huskies played in eight consecutive Hockey East championships, winning six in a row from 2018–2023. Alina Müller (2019–2020, 2021–2022, 2022–2023) and Aerin Frankel (2017–2018, 2018–2019, 2020–2021) won the tournament MVP honors. The Huskies set a record for most goals in a women's Hockey East championship game with their 9–1 win over the University of Connecticut Huskies in 2020.

Roster

As of January 25, 2026.

Season-by-season results

Beanpot

Main article: Beanpot (ice hockey) #Other Beanpots

The Northeastern women have historically found success in the Beanpot, winning 20 of 46 tournaments and compiling a 56–31–6 record through 2025. The Huskies appeared in 16 straight finals, from 1983 to 1998, winning 13 of those tournaments, including 9 straight. The Huskies have qualified for the Beanpot finals 31 times through 2025:

• March 17, 1979: Northeastern 3, Boston College 1
• February 24, 1980: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
• February 18, 1983: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
• February 17, 1984: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
• February 12, 1985: Northeastern 7, Boston College 0
• February 11, 1986: Northeastern 7, Harvard 0
• February 10, 1987: Northeastern 7, Harvard 1
• February 9, 1988: Northeastern 5, Harvard 1
• February 14, 1989: Northeastern 9, Harvard 0
• February 13, 1990: Northeastern 3, Harvard 2
• February 12, 1991: Northeastern 2, Harvard 1
• February 11, 1992: Harvard 3, Northeastern 0
• February 9, 1993: Brown 3, Northeastern 0
• February 15, 1994: Northeastern 6, Harvard 2
• February 14, 1995: Harvard 3, Northeastern 2
• February 13, 1996: Northeastern 4, Boston College 3 (OT)
• February 11, 1997: Northeastern 8, Harvard 1
• February 10, 1998: Northeastern 5, Harvard 4
• February 15, 2000: Harvard 4, Northeastern 3 (OT)
• February 13, 2001: Harvard 4, Northeastern 3 (OT)
• February 10, 2004, Harvard 5, Northeastern 1
• February 9, 2010: Harvard 1, Northeastern 0
• February 7, 2012: Northeastern 4, Boston University 3 (OT)
• February 12, 2013: Northeastern 4, Boston College 3
• February 11, 2014: Boston College 3, Northeastern 0
• February 9, 2016: Boston College 7, Northeastern 0
• February 7, 2017: Boston College 2, Northeastern 1
• February 11, 2020: Northeastern 4, Boston University 3 (2-OT) 2021: Cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic
• February 14, 2023: Northeastern 2, Boston College 1
• January 23, 2024: Northeastern 2, Boston University 1 (OT)
• January 21, 2025: Northeastern 4, Boston University 0

Notable alumni

Among notable players for Northeastern have been former Canadian national team captain Vicky Sunohara, United States national team goaltender Kelly Dyer who was also the second woman to play professional ice hockey in North America, United States national team goaltender Chanda Gunn, ten-time United States national team member Shelley Looney, 2002 collegiate women's player of the year Brooke Whitney, and long time Canadian national team member and Olympic medalist Laura Schuler. Chelsey Goldberg is now a professional ice hockey player.

The following Huskies have played on the United States national team: Tina Cardinale (1990, 1992), Kendall Coyne (2010–12), Kim Haman (1992), Erika Silva (2004), Jeanine Sobek (1990, 1992, 1994–96), Brooke White (2001, 2004), Hilary Witt (2001). Florence Schelling was the goaltender of the Switzerland national team (2004–2018).

Hilary Witt

Witt came to Northeastern University in 1996 from Canton High School in Canton, Massachusetts. In hockey she played on the Assabet Valley Club team for four years while they won two National Championships. In her freshman year, she helped the Huskies to a 27–9 season and the 1997 ECAC Championship. Witt scored two goals, including the game winner, in the 3–2 title win over New Hampshire and as a rookie was named the tournament MVP. She led the team in scoring that season with 24 goals.

In Witt's sophomore season she led the team in scoring once again with 32 goals, and her 58 points (ranked in the nation's top 10). She was a nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award and was voted All-ECAC. The team went 26–6–5 and qualified for the ECAC Tournament and the semifinals of the first ever women's hockey National Championship.

As a junior, Witt led NU with 27 goals, and was in the nation's top 10 in scoring. Once again, she was a Kazmaier nominee. The team went 25–7–3 and went on to the ECAC Tournament. Witt captained Northeastern's 1999–2000 team to a 22–9–3 season and another post-season appearance. She led NU in scoring with 30 goals for the fourth consecutive year. In terms of scoring, was in the nation's top 10, and was voted All-ECAC. Also, for the third year in a row she was a Kazmaier candidate. On February 10, 2010, she was inducted into the Women's Beanpot Hall of Fame. The induction honors her performance as a player for Northeastern in the annual tournament featuring the four Boston-area women's hockey teams. The ceremony was held prior to the Beanpot Championship game at Harvard's Bright Center.

Olympians

Awards and honors

NCAA

Patty Kazmaier Award

• Brooke Whitney (2002)
• Kendall Coyne (2016)
• Aerin Frankel (2021)

WHCA Goalie of the Year

• Aerin Frankel (2021, 2022)
• Gwyneth Philips (2023)

Humanitarian Award

• Chanda Gunn (2004)
• Missy Elumba (2009)

NCAA Sportsmanship Award

• Chanda Gunn (2004)

Honda Inspiration Award

• Chanda Gunn (2004)

Bauer Goaltending Champion

• Florence Schelling (2010, 2012)

AHCA Coach of the Year

• Dave Flint (2021, 2023)

NCAA Today's Top 10 Award

• Kendall Coyne (2017)

Division I All-American

First Team

• 2000-01: Erika Silva
• 2001-02: Brooke Whitney
• 2003-04: Chanda Gunn
• 2011-12: Florence Schelling
• 2015-16: Kendall Coyne
• 2019-20: Aerin Frankel, Alina Müller
• 2020-21: Skylar Fontaine, Aerin Frankel, Alina Müller
• 2021-22: Skylar Fontaine, Aerin Frankel
• 2022-23: Alina Müller, Gwyneth Philips
• 2023-24: Gwyneth Philips

Second Team

• 1998-99: Jaime Totten
• 2000-01: Brooke Whitney
• 2001-02: Kim Greene, Chanda Gunn
• 2009-10: Florence Schelling
• 2012-13: Kendall Coyne
• 2014-15: Kendall Coyne
• 2018-19: Skylar Fontaine, Alina Müller
• 2019-20: Skylar Fontaine
• 2020-21: Chloé Aurard
• 2021-22: Alina Müller, Maureen Murphy

ECAC / ECAC Eastern

Player of the Year

• Shelley Looney (1994)
• Brooke Whitney (2002)

Rookie of the Year

• Vicky Sunohara (1989)

Goalie of the Year

• Erika Silva (2001)

Tournament MVP

• Shelley Looney (1993)
• Hilary Witt (1997)
• Chanda Gunn (2002)

Sarah Devens Award

• Jaime Totten (1989)
• Kathryn Waldo (1997)

All-ECAC

First Team

• 1993-94: Michelle DiStefano, Shelley Looney, Jeanine Sobek
• 1997-98: Jaime Totten
• 2000-01: Erika Silva, Brooke Whitney
• 2001-02: Kim Greene, Brooke White, Brooke Whitney

Second Team

• 1997-98: Hilary Witt
• 1998-99: Jaime Totten
• 1999-00: Hilary Witt
• 2001-02: Chanda Gunn

Honorable Mention

• 1998-99: Erika Silva, Hilary Witt
• 1999-00: Erine Metcalf

Hockey East

Player of the Year

• Chanda Gunn (2004)
• Florence Schelling (2010, 2012)
• Kendall Coyne (2016)
• Alina Müller (2020, 2021, 2023)
• Aerin Frankel (2021)

Rookie of the Year

• Kendall Coyne (2012)
• Alina Müller (2019)

Goalie of the Year

• Chanda Gunn (2004)
• Florence Schelling (2012)
• Aerin Frankel (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
• Gwyneth Philips (2023, 2024)

Coach of the Year

• Joy Woog (2004)
• Dave Flint (2012, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)

Scoring Champion

• Kendall Coyne (2016)
• Alina Müller (2020, 2021, 2023)

Best Defenseman

• Skylar Fontaine (2020, 2021, 2022)
• Megan Carter (2023, 2024)

Best Defensive Forward

• Casey Pickett (2012)
• Hayley Scamurra (2017)
• Matti Hartman (2020)

Tournament MVP

• Aerin Frankel (2018, 2019, 2021)
• Alina Müller (2020, 2022, 2023)

"Three-Stars" Award

• Chanda Gunn (2004)
• Leah Sulyma (2008)
• Florence Schelling (2012)
• Kendall Coyne (2013, 2016)
• Alina Müller (2020)
• Aerin Frankel (2021)
• Gwyneth Philips (2024)

Sportsmanship Award

• Paige Capistran (2020)

All-Hockey East

First Team

• 2003–04: Chanda Gunn
• 2009–10: Florence Schelling
• 2011–12: Florence Schelling, Kendall Coyne
• 2012–13: Kendall Coyne
• 2013–14: Heather Mottau
• 2014–15: Kendall Coyne
• 2015–16: Kendall Coyne
• 2016–17: McKenna Brand
• 2018–19: Skylar Fontaine, Aerin Frankel, Alina Müller
• 2019–20: Chloé Aurard, Skylar Fontaine, Aerin Frankel, Alina Müller
• 2020–21: Chloé Aurard, Skylar Fontaine, Aerin Frankel, Alina Müller
• 2021–22: Skylar Fontaine, Aerin Frankel, Maureen Murphy
• 2022–23: Megan Carter, Alina Müller, Gwyneth Philips
• 2023–24: Megan Carter, Gwyneth Philips

Second Team

• 2002–03: Chanda Gunn
• 2003–04: Theresa Ella, Amy Goodney
• 2004–05: Lori DiGiacomo
• 2011–12: Stephanie Gavronsky, Casey Pickett
• 2012–13: Casey Pickett
• 2013–14: Brittany Esposito, Kelly Wallace
• 2015–16: Brittany Bugalski, Jordan Krause, Denisa Křížová
• 2016–17: Denisa Křížová, Heather Mottau
• 2017–18: Lauren Kelly
• 2018–19: Brooke Hobson
• 2020–21: Brooke Hobson
• 2021–22: Chloé Aurard, Brooke Hobson, Alina Müller
• 2022–23: Chloé Aurard, Maureen Murphy
• 2023–24: Peyton Anderson, Jules Constantinople
• 2024–25: Skylar Irving

Third Team

• 2018–19: Kasidy Anderson
• 2019–20: Brooke Hobson, Katy Knoll
• 2020–21: Maureen Murphy
• 2022–23: Katy Knoll, Abbey Marohn, Maude Poulin-Labelle
• 2023–24: Skylar Irving, Katy Knoll
• 2024–25: Tuva Kandell

Honorable Mention

• 2002–03: Kim Greene, Brooke White
• 2003–04: Cyndy Kenyon
• 2004–05: Amy Goodney, Marisa Hourihan
• 2005–06: Marisa Hourihan, Nikki Petrich
• 2006–07: Chelsey Jones
• 2008–09: Kristi Kehoe, Julia Marty
• 2010–11: Rachel Llanes
• 2012–13: Chloe Desjardins, Maggie DiMasi
• 2013–14: Katie MacSorley, Colleen Murphy
• 2014–15: Heather Mottau
• 2015–16: Heather Mottau
• 2018–19: Veronika Pettey
• 2021–22: Megan Carter

Beanpot Awards

Most Valuable Player

• 1979 Diane DerBogoshian
• 1980 Diane Sorrenti
• 1984 Stephanie Kelly
• 1985 Tracy Hill
• 1986 Nina Koyama
• 1987 Fiona Rice
• 1988 Tina Cardinale
• 1989 Vicky Sunohara
• 1990 Julie Piacentini
• 1991 Sue Guay
• 1993 Kim Haman
• 1994 Shelley Looney
• 1996 Jessica Wagner
• 1997 Stephanie Acres
• 1998 Lisa Giovanelli
• 2012 Casey Pickett
• 2013 Kendall Coyne
• 2020 Chloé Aurard
• 2023 Maureen Murphy
• 2024 Skylar Irving
• 2025 Lisa Jönsson

Bertagna Award (top goalie)

• 2000 Erika Silva
• 2001 Erika Silva
• 2012 Florence Schelling
• 2013 Chloe Desjardins
• 2017 Brittany Bugalski
• 2020 Aerin Frankel
• 2023 Gwyneth Philips
• 2024 Gwyneth Philips
• 2025 Lisa Jönsson

Beanpot Hall of Fame

• 2008 Diane DerBoghosian (1981)
• 2009 Julie Piacentini (1991)
• 2010 Hilary Witt (2001)
• 2011 Kathryn Waldo (1999)
• 2012 Don MacLeod (Head Coach)
• 2013 Kelly Dyer Hayes (1990)
• 2014 Jill Toney (1986)
• 2015 Brooke Whitney (2003)
• 2016 Tina Cardinale-Beauchemin (1989)
• 2017 Jessica Wagner (1997)
• 2019 Linda Lundrigan (1984)
• 2020 Casey Pickett Bates (2013)
• 2022 Nina Koyama (1989)
• 2023 Fiona Rice (1990)
• 2024 Shelley Looney (1994)
• 2025 Erika Silva Adams (2001)

Northeastern Hall of Fame

• 1995 Kelly Dyer
• 1999 Shelley Looney
• 2002 Tina Cardinale
• 2004 Laura Schuler
• 2005 Hilary Witt
• 2008 Brooke Whitney
• 2009 Donna-Lynn Rosa
• 2011 Carolyn Sullivan
• 2012 Chanda Gunn
• 2020 Florence Schelling
• 2021 Fiona Rice
• 2023 Kendall Coyne Schofield

Huskies in professional hockey

As of January 22, 2024.

References

References

1. "Women's Hockey – All-Time Results".
2. "Donald MacLeod (2013) – Varsity Club Hall of Fame".
3. "Women's Hockey – Scoring Records".
4. "2019–20 Game Recap – Hockey East Association".
5. (January 25, 2026). "2025–26 Women's Ice Hockey Roster". Northeastern University Athletics.
6. "Women's Beanpot - Northeastern".
7. "Women's Beanpot - All-Time Results".
8. [http://www.gonu.com/hall/hwitt.html] {{webarchive. link. (May 29, 2008)
9. (2010-02-10). "Hilary Witt Inducted into Women's Beanpot Hall of Fame". Yale Bulldogs.
10. "Women's Hockey – Award Winners".
11. (2021-03-27). "Aerin Frankel Named 2021 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Winner".
12. (2021-03-17). "Aerin Frankel Named Women's College Hockey Goalie of the Year".
13. (2017-01-19). "Kendall Coyne honored with NCAA Today's Top 10 Award". Northeastern Huskies athletics.
14. (24 March 2020). "2019–20 CCM/AHCA Women's University Division All-Americans Announced".
15. (2021-03-19). "Five Hockey East Players Players Named CCM/AHCA Women's All-Americans – NCAA #1 seed Northeastern boasts four players on the two teams".
16. "Women's Beanpot - Archives".
17. "Women's Beanpot - Hall of Fame".