Melanie Ruzzi - Women's Ice Hockey Coach - Princeton University Athletics

Melanie Ruzzi

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
mruzzi@princeton.edu
Phone:
609-258-6497

Mel Ruzzi joined the Princeton women's hockey coaching staff in June 2019.

In her first season, Princeton set a program wins record with 26, reached the ECAC tournament final for the first time and won the ECAC tournament title for the first time. Princeton finished the season with three players ranked in the top 12 in the nation in goals and points per game, with Sarah Filler's 1.84 points per game and Carly Bullock's 0.91 goals per game each ranking second in the nation. With 95 goals, Bullock finished her career as the program's top goal scorer of the 21st century. The ECAC recognized Princeton's success with both Bullock and Fillier as Best Forward top-three finalists, Fillier as a top-three finalist for Player of the Year, and head coach Cara Morey as one of three finalists for league Coach of the Year. The team qualified for the NCAA quarterfinals, but the event was canceled by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 virus.

Ruzzi began her coaching career at Division III Amherst in 2005, where she acted as an assistant coach for two seasons. From 2007-11 she was an assistant coach at Harvard before returning to her alma mater Providence for six years as associate head coach.

Ruzzi was critical to the turn-around of the Friars program that saw the program return to the national rankings and be one of the most competitive teams in Hockey East. She helped transform the defense from 136 goals allowed to 80 in just two seasons, while also improving the penalty kill from 78.1 percent to 87.1 percent – eighth best in the nation in her final year with the Friars, 2017-18. In addition she coached defender, Whitney Dove, to the Hockey East Rookie of the Year award in 2017.

Her involvement in hockey exceeds the collegiate ranks. She has been involved with USA Hockey since 2006, and is currently one of the coaches for USA Hockey's Development Camp. In addition, Ruzzi has been the director of the USA Hockey's multi-district camp for the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Districts since 2017.

"We are very fortunate to have Mel joining our program," Morey said upon Ruzzi's hiring. "Mel's extensive resume speaks for itself as she could certainly be a head coach in this league. She shares the same values and vision that we have here at PWIH. She is passionate about our game and her hockey IQ is outstanding. I'm so excited to work with Mel and take this program to the next level!"

A 2003 graduate of Providence, Ruzzi was team captain in 2002-03 and captured Hockey East Honorable Mention honors as well as national all-academic accolades. She helped the Friars to the ECAC Eastern title as a junior and the inaugural Hockey East title in 2003. In her career, she played in 141 games and had 13 goals and 38 assists for 51 points.

"I am beyond grateful to be joining the Princeton women's hockey program at a time when Coach Morey has positioned the team to take another step forward in competing for ECAC and NCAA Championships," Ruzzi said upon her hiring. "I am excited to pour my energy into this incredible group of Princeton women and to work with a passionate and accomplished staff."