Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast
Ruzzi Added to Team USA's Staff as U18 Assistant Coach
May 06, 2020 | Women's Ice Hockey
Following a first season with Princeton that was among the best in program history, Melanie Ruzzi has earned a place behind another bench as well, having been named an assistant coach with the 2020-21 U.S. U18 team.
As part of her role, Ruzzi will help coach the U.S. team during the Women's National Festival, an event used to help select the U-18 and U-22 select team rosters, the U-18 Select Series, an event between the U.S. and Canada, and the IIHF U-18 Women's World Championship.
"I am incredibly thankful to (women's national team director) Katie Million and (American Development Model manager) Kristen Wright from USA Hockey as well as USA U18 Head Coach Katie Lachapelle for inviting me to be a part of this staff," Ruzzi said. "I look forward to coaching the very best young women in our sport from throughout the country and anxious to get to work preparing for the World Championships."
Ruzzi's first year with Princeton saw the team win a program-record 26 games and claim its first ECAC tournament title while making the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. On the way, Princeton broke its program points record for the second straight year, scoring 305 points, and had a program-record 183 assists a year after setting the program record with 182.
Princeton has found that success with a combination of talent from both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border, including 2018 USA Hockey Women's National Festival participant Carly Bullock, who finished her career this winter as the fifth-leading goal scorer in program history and the program's top scorer of the 21st century.
Ruzzi was one of two new assistant coaches this past season, along with Courtney Kessel, under third-year head coach Cara Morey.
"Coach Ruzzi is one of the best coaches in our game," Morey said. "I'm so happy she's getting this opportunity to showcase her talents on the international stage. She is a strong, female role model who will bring tremendous insight and knowledge of the game to the USA U18 Team."
As part of her role, Ruzzi will help coach the U.S. team during the Women's National Festival, an event used to help select the U-18 and U-22 select team rosters, the U-18 Select Series, an event between the U.S. and Canada, and the IIHF U-18 Women's World Championship.
"I am incredibly thankful to (women's national team director) Katie Million and (American Development Model manager) Kristen Wright from USA Hockey as well as USA U18 Head Coach Katie Lachapelle for inviting me to be a part of this staff," Ruzzi said. "I look forward to coaching the very best young women in our sport from throughout the country and anxious to get to work preparing for the World Championships."
Ruzzi's first year with Princeton saw the team win a program-record 26 games and claim its first ECAC tournament title while making the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. On the way, Princeton broke its program points record for the second straight year, scoring 305 points, and had a program-record 183 assists a year after setting the program record with 182.
Princeton has found that success with a combination of talent from both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border, including 2018 USA Hockey Women's National Festival participant Carly Bullock, who finished her career this winter as the fifth-leading goal scorer in program history and the program's top scorer of the 21st century.
Ruzzi was one of two new assistant coaches this past season, along with Courtney Kessel, under third-year head coach Cara Morey.
"Coach Ruzzi is one of the best coaches in our game," Morey said. "I'm so happy she's getting this opportunity to showcase her talents on the international stage. She is a strong, female role model who will bring tremendous insight and knowledge of the game to the USA U18 Team."
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