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Looney Named Head Coach of Women's National University Team

By USAHockey.com, 10/20/16, 9:45AM EDT

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Berger and Hicks Tabbed Assistants

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.Shelley Looney (Brownstown, Mich.) was tabbed head coach of the U.S. Women’s National University Team that will compete at the 2017 Winter World University Games from Jan. 28 – Feb. 8 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, it was announced today by USA Hockey. 

In addition, Brett Berger (Springfield, N.J.) and Scott Hicks (Richmond, Ind.) were named assistant coaches. 

“Shelly brings an invaluable amount of knowledge and passion to our coaching staff,” said Katie Holmgren, general manager of the 2017 U.S. Women’s National University Team and USA Hockey’s manager of adult hockey. “We’re excited to have this entire group leading our team into Kazakhstan in January.”

A two-time member of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team (1998, gold; 2002, silver), Looney was an assistant coach at the 2015 Winter World University Games. She currently serves as the hockey director for the Buffalo Bisons and spent the 2015-16 season as head coach of the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League. Prior to joining Buffalo, Looney was the girls’ and women’s hockey director for the New Jersey Colonials program from 2006-2013.

As a player, Looney medaled 10 times while amassing 136 points (61-75) in 151 games for Team USA. She played collegiately at Northeastern University, where she was named the ECAC Player of the Year for the 1993-94 season. 

Berger is in his third full season as head coach of the women’s hockey team at Adrian College after leading the Bulldogs to the ACHA national semifinals in 2015-16. Berger also guided Adrian to its first ACHA national tournament appearance and a runner-up finish in the Central Collegiate Women’s Hockey Association in 2013-14. He is making his Team USA coaching debut.  

Hicks, who is in his sixth season as head coach of the women’s hockey team at Miami University, made his Team USA coaching debut alongside Looney as an assistant at the 2015 Winter World University Games. Hicks was named the 2013-14 ACHA Coach of the Year after leading Miami to its first ever conference regular-season title, conference tournament title and ACHA national championship.

For complete coverage of the U.S. Women’s National University Team, click here.

NOTES: The U.S. Women’s National University team is composed of players who compete collegiately in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) … For more information about the 2017 Winter World University games, click here.

Team USA Schedule

Date Opponent TIme (Local/ET)/ Result Stream Live Stats
Thurs., Dec. 29 Chicago Mission (Exhibition) L, 1-9 N/A N/A
Fri., Dec. 30 Lindenwood University (Exhibition) L, 0-3 N/A N/A
Sun., Jan. 29 Russia L, 1-7 LIVEFISU.TV Live Stats
Tues., Jan. 31 Japan W, 3-2 LIVEFISU.TV Live Stats
Sat., Feb. 4 Canada
Semifinals
L, 1-8 LIVEFISU.TV Live Stats
Mon., Feb. 6 China
Third-Place Game
W, 3-0 LIVEFISU.TV Live Stats

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