The UConn Huskies women's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Connecticut. The Huskies compete in the Hockey East conference. The Huskies play in the Toscano Family Ice Forum.
History The UConn Huskies women's ice hockey team began in 2000, under head coach Heather Linstad, in the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum. In its first season, the team played as an independent team. In the 2001–02 season, the team joined the ECAC Hockey women's conference. Since the 2002–03 season, they have participated in the Hockey East (HEA), also known as the Women's Hockey East Association (WHEA), conference.
Forward Jaclyn Hawkins, who played during 2004 to 2007, is ranked 10th in career goals in the WHEA. She scored 51 goals and 43 assists in 81 games. In 2006, she tied an NCAA record for 3 power play goals in a single game, setting the Hockey East record for that feat.
A 1–0 shutout by Connecticut on November 13, 2010, ended the New Hampshire Wildcats’ 17-game unbeaten streak against the Huskies. The Huskies penalty kill was a perfect 6-of-6 on the weekend. The shutout marked the first time the Wildcats were shut out at home since November 28, 2004 (by the Mercyhurst Lakers), a streak of 109 consecutive home games.
The Huskies played an outdoor game against the Providence Friars at Rentschler Field on February 13, 2011, as part of the Whalers Hockey Fest.
After thirteen seasons as head coach, Heather Linstad left in 2013. Chris MacKenzie became head coach in May 2013.
Netminder Elaine Chuli holds the Hockey East record for all-time career saves, which she set in 2015–16 season with the Huskies.
The 2017–18 season was the most dramatic in the history of women's ice hockey at UConn. The team was in last place at the end of January, but turned the season around. They upset the Boston College Eagles, ranked number 3, in the semi-finals of the Hockey East tournament, and went on to play in the league championship game. They lost in a close game to Northeastern Huskies, by a score of 2–1. Senior goalie, Annie Bélanger, was selected as the Hockey East Goalie of the Year, and named to the Hockey East All-Star First Team.
In the 2019–20 season, the Huskies finished 5th in the league. They defeated Boston College in the quarterfinals, winning the third and deciding game 2–1. They went on to defeat the New Hampshire Wildcats 4–0 in the semi-finals to advance to the final against the Northeastern Huskies. They were defeated in the championship game by a score of 9–1.
In 2023, the Huskies moved to the new Toscano Family Ice Forum, adjacent to the Ice Forum. The 2,600-seat facility also hosts the UConn men's hockey team.
During the 2023–24 season, the Huskies posted a program best 25–8–5 record, and won their first Hockey East regular season championship in program history. The Huskies also won the Hockey East tournament and advanced to the NCAA women's ice hockey tournament for the first time in program history.
Season-by-season results Won championshipLost championshipConference championsLeague leader
Year Coach W L T Conference Conf. W Conf. L Conf. T Finish Conference Tournament NCAA Tournament2025–26Chris MacKenzie 28 9 2 Hockey East 17 6 1 2nd HE Won Quarterfinals vs. Maine Won Semifinals vs. Holy Cross Won Championship vs. Northeastern Won First round vs. Princeton Lost Quarterfinals vs. Penn State 2024–25Chris MacKenzie 22 12 2 Hockey East 19 6 2 1st HE Won Quarterfinals vs. Merrimack Lost Semifinals vs. Northeastern Did not qualify2023–24Chris MacKenzie 25 8 5 Hockey East 19 4 4 1st HE Won Quarterfinals vs. Holy Cross Won Semifinals vs. Boston College Won Championship vs. Northeastern Lost First round vs. Minnesota Duluth 2022–23Chris MacKenzie 18 13 4 Hockey East 12 11 4 5th HE Lost Quarterfinals vs. Boston College Did not qualify2021-22Chris MacKenzie 24 9 4 Hockey East 16 7 4 3rd HE Won Quarterfinals vs. Boston University Won Semifinals vs. Vermont Lost Championship vs. Northeastern Did not qualify2020-21Chris MacKenzie 9 10 1 Hockey East 8 9 1 7th HE Won Quarterfinal vs. Boston College Lost Semifinals vs. Northeastern Did not qualify2019-20 Chris MacKenzie 19182 Hockey East131225th HEWon Quarterfinals vs. Boston College Won Semifinals vs. UNH Lost Championship vs. Northeastern Did not qualify2018-19 Chris MacKenzie 14 18 4 Hockey East 9 14 4 7th HE Lost Quarterfinals vs. Boston College Did not qualify 2017–18 Chris MacKenzie 16 14 9 Hockey East 7 11 6 8th HE Won Quarterfinals vs. Providence Won Semifinals vs. Boston College Lost Championship vs. Northeastern Did not qualify 2016–17 Chris MacKenzie 14 18 4 Hockey East 9 13 2 7th HE Lost Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern Did not qualify 2015–16 Chris MacKenzie 17 16 5 Hockey East 11 10 3 4th HE Won Quarterfinals vs. New Hampshire Lost Semifinals vs. Boston College Did not qualify 2014–15 Chris MacKenzie 11 18 8 Hockey East 5 11 5 5th HE Won Quarterfinals vs. Maine Lost Semifinals vs. Boston College Did not qualify 2013–14 Chris MacKenzie 9 24 2 Hockey East 6 14 1 5th HE Lost Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern Did not qualify 2012–13 Heather Linstad 3 29 3 Hockey East 1 19 1 8th HE Lost Quarterfinals vs. Boston University Did not qualify 2011–12 Heather Linstad 4 23 7 Hockey East 3 15 3 7th HE Did not qualify Did not qualify 2010–11 Heather Linstad 13 19 3 Hockey East 9 9 3 4th HE Lost Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern Did not qualify 2009–10 Heather Linstad 21 9 7 Hockey East 10 5 6 5th HE Won Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern Won Semifinals vs. Providence Lost Championship vs. Boston University Did not qualify 2008–09 Heather Linstad 19 12 4 Hockey East 10 8 3 4th HE Lost Semifinals vs. Providence Did not qualify 2007–08 Heather Linstad 22 8 5 Hockey East 13 5 3 2nd HE Lost Semifinals vs. Providence Did not qualify 2006–07 Heather Linstad 17 15 3 Hockey East 12 7 2 4th HE Lost Semifinals vs. New Hampshire Did not qualify 2005–06 Heather Linstad 12 21 1 Hockey East 10 11 0 5th HE Did not qualify Did not qualify 2004–05 Heather Linstad 16 12 8 Hockey East 11 5 4 3rd HE Won Semifinals vs. New Hampshire Lost Championship vs. Providence Did not qualify 2003–04 Heather Linstad 9 19 6 Hockey East 5 11 4 5th HE Did not qualify Did not qualify 2002–03 Heather Linstad 11 20 4 Hockey East 3 9 3 4th HE Lost Semifinals vs. Providence Did not qualify 2001–02 Heather Linstad 11 21 3 ECAC Eastern 7 12 2 6th ECAC E. Lost Quarterfinals vs. New Hampshire Did not qualify 2000–01 Heather Linstad 3 10 0 Independent Did not qualify
Current roster As of September 27, 2022.
International The following players have participated with national teams in international tournaments:
Canada National development (under-22) team Cristin Allen, D: 2008 Air Canada Cup Dominique Thibault, F: 2008 Air Canada Cup
China
Tia Chan (Chen Tiya), G: 2021 World Championship D1B, 2022 Winter Olympics Leah Lum (Lin Qiqi), F: 2021 World Championship D1B, 2022 Winter Olympics Camryn Wong (Huang Huier), D: 2021 World Championship D1B, 2022 Winter Olympics
Awards and honors Annie Bélanger, 2018–19 Hockey East Goaltender of the Year Cristin Allen, 2010 Hockey East Best Defenseman Award Cristin Allen, Runner-up, 2010 Hockey East Player of the Year Cristin Allen, New England Hockey Writers 2010 All-Star Team Jennifer Chaisson, 2010 Hockey East Best Defensive Forward Alexandra Garcia, Bauer Goaltender of the Month, January 2010 Alexandra Garcia, Runner Up, Hockey East 2010 Goaltending Champion Jaclyn Hawkins, 2004–05 Hockey East ITECH Rookie of the Year Chris MacKenzie, 2023–24 Hockey East Coach of the Year Chris MacKenzie, 2023–24 AHCA Coach of the Year
All-Hockey East Team 2010 WHEA First-Team All-Star: Cristin Allen, DIn Hockey Women Life, 2010 WHEA Honorable Mention All-Star: Alexandra Garcia, G Jody Sydor, D Monique Weber, F 2015–16 WHEA First Team All-Star: Elaine Chuli, G 2017–18 WHEA First Team All-Star: Annie Bélanger, G 2019–20 WHEA Second Team All-Star: Natalie Snodgrass, F
Hockey East All-Rookie Team 2020–21 Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team: Tia Chan, G Jada Habisch, F
Hockey East All-Tournament team 2005 Hockey East All-Tournament team Tiffany Owens, F Natalie Vibert, D 2010 Women's Hockey East All-Tournament Team: Cristin Allen, D Michelle Binning, F Amy Hollstein, F
USCHO honors 2004–05 All USCHO.com Rookie Team: Jaclyn Hawkins, F
Huskies in elite hockey A number of Huskies alumnae have pursued post-collegiate ice hockey careers in elite leagues around the world. In North America, Huskies have played in leagues and organizations including the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL; 1999–2007), the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL; 2007–2019), the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF since 2021; founded in 2015 as NWHL – not related to defunct league of same name), and the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA; founded in 2019). Additionally, many alumnae have played in international leagues including the Australian Women's Ice Hockey League (AWIHL), the German Women's Hockey Liga (DFEL), the European Women's Hockey League (EWHL), the Italian Hockey League Women (IHLW), the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL), and the Zhenskaya Hockey League (ZhHL).
The following list is not exhaustive, please assist by contributing missing content. = CWHL All-Star = PHF All-Star= Clarkson Cup Champion= Isobel Cup Champion= Walter Cup Champion Player Pos. Team(s) League(s) Year(s) Championship(s) G Calgary Inferno CWHL 2018-19 Clarkson Cup (2019) PWHPA 2019-21 F ESC Planegg DFEL 2015-16 F Toronto Furies CWHL 2016-17 MODO HockeyBrynäs IFLuleå HF/MSSK SDHL 2017-192019-202020-21 Toronto Six PHF 2021-23 Isobel Cup (2023) Minnesota Frost PWHL 2023-25 Walter Cup (2024) G KRS Vanke Rays ZhHL 2021-22 Elaine ChuliG Vanke RaysToronto Furies CWHL 2017-182018-19 Dream Gap Tour PWHPA 2019-20 Toronto Six PHF 2020-23Isobel Cup (2023) Montreal Victoire PWHL 2023-25Toronto Sceptres2025-26 F Connecticut Whale Metropolitan Riveters PHF 2021-222022-23 F Buffalo Beauts PHF 2022-23 D EV Bozen Eagles EWHLIHLW 2019-20 D HV71 SDHL 2022-23Jada HabischFSeattle TorrentPWHL2025-26 F Boston Blades CWHL 2010-13 F Mad Dogs MannheimEisbären Juniors Berlin DFEL 2018-202020-21 Metropolitan Riveters PHF 2020-22 ECDC Memmingen DFEL 2022-23 F KRS Vanke Rays CWHLZhHL 2018-22 Toronto Six PHF 2022-23Isobel Cup (2023) Montreal Victoire PWHL 2023-24 F ESC Planegg DFEL 2015-16Ava RinkerDMinnesota FrostPWHL2025-26 D EHV Sabres EWHL 2021-22 F EV Bozen Eagles EWHLIHLW 2015-16F Minnesota Whitecaps PHF 2022-23 Ottawa Charge PWHL 2023-25Seattle Torrent2025-26F Montreal Axion NWHL 2005-06 Canadiennes de Montreal CWHL 2010-14 Clarkson Cup (2011, 2012) F Melbourne Ice AWIHL 2014-15 F MoDo Hockey SDHL 2022-23 D MoDo Hockey SDHL 2022-23D KRS Vanke Rays ZhHL 2021-22 Luleå HF/MSSK SDHL 2024-25 F Boston Blades CWHL 2016-17
See also NCAA Division I Women's Hockey conferences and teams List of college women's ice hockey coaches with 250 wins (Heather Linstad ranks fifth on all-time list) UConn Huskies UConn Huskies men's ice hockey
References
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