Megan Bozek, Guest Coach With Rangers at Development Camp

Breaking barriers.

The New York Rangers were proud to feature the addition of two-time Silver-medal Olympic defender Megan Bozek to the coaching staff for the organization's 2023 Development Camp.

With an accomplished resume that includes a Divison l collegiate hockey career at the University of Minnesota, being drafted second overall by the Toronto Furies at the 2014 Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) Draft, being selected as an All-Star in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) and proudly presenting Team USA on the international stage on multiple occasions - and winning two Silver medals - Bozek's presence offers a wealth of experience for the young Rangers prospects to learn from.

"It was an easy decision," Rangers Director of Player Development Jed Ortmeyer said of adding Bozek to the staff. "Just everything that she's been able to accomplish in her career, winning at every level. The culture that we're trying to build within our organization, the people that we want in our organization - she fits the mold. We want her to be able to talk to the guys and for them to be able to ask questions about what she's gone through at the international level, the pro level and all that. It's great."

Bozek most recently represented the Red White and Blue at the Beijing Olympics, where she and Team USA took home a Silver medal. Despite wrapping up her days as a player, she wasn't quite ready to put the skates away for good.

"I knew I wanted to stay involved in the game, but in what aspect of the game, I wasn't sure," Bozek told NYRangers.com during development camp. "It was really fun getting an opportunity. The Rangers organization has been great for me and for [Long Island University Men's Hockey Coach] Brett Riley to be guest coaches for the week and just to get a taste of what it's like to coach at this level. For myself, I've been around not with one specific team, but a lot of skill work in the Toronto area helping with a handful of teams. It's really fun to do this [development camp] over the week."

The now 32-year-old has embraced the transition from player to coach and has enjoyed getting to work with the Rangers' budding youngsters. She's been a part of general drills during on-ice sessions and she's shared insight about how she managed some adversity of her own when she missed the cut for the 2018 Team USA Olympic roster. Ultimately, that motivated her to be her best, and eventually, she was named to the 2022 Team USA Olympic roster.

"Coaches are there to help," Bozek said. "Sometimes you get in the heat of the moment, so you're not sure how you feel about that or what they've said to you, but they're legitimately trying to help because coaches want to put their best team forward to win games. It doesn't take one player, it doesn't take two players, it takes a whole bench.

"You can learn from everyone else, right?" Bozek continued. "You can be a teacher of the game. From where I played, who I played against playing at the highest level, I have experiences to share with these guys. It's been great the first few days - a lot of skating, puck handling and skill work. To be able to hop in there and be knowledgeable with what they're working on is pretty fun."

Bozek's addition to the coaching staff is a mutually beneficial, not just for the players to be exposed to an outside - yet incredibly accomplished - voice, but to also increase visibility for women in leadership roles within the NHL.

"You shouldn't be surprised when you see a female on the ice with males, just like you shouldn't be surprised when you see a male on the ice with females," Bozek said. "I hope this becomes a more regular role. I know a lot of NHL clubs are pushing to at least give [women] opportunities, to at least give [women] experiences like I'm getting with development camp."

And for Bozek, the opportunity with the Rangers is just another affirmation toward the goal of ultimately continuing to solidify opportunities for women in hockey for future generations to come.

"I know we can stay involved in the game," Bozek said. "Sometimes we question and say, 'Well, the highest pinnacle of our sport [for women] is the Olympics.' But now that we have a pro league starting, we can dream and try to become something more than that."