"We're so thrilled to have Kelsey Koelzer joining us this weekend for our Canes Girls Youth Hockey program. Kelsey brings an incredible range of experience and leadership at every level, both as a player and now as a coach," said Gagliardi. "Our goal with this program is to highlight as many female role models as possible to show young girls what they can aspire to be. In addition to our homegrown coaches, Colleen and Katherine Murphy, who have also competed at the Division I level, Kelsey's experience and advice will further inspire and support our next generation of female hockey players."
Canes Girls Youth Hockey was established in February to continue the on- and off-ice development of girls ages 6-12 who have played at the Learn to Play or Recreational levels. As program director, Gagliardi combines exciting, high-energy, skill-based practices with off-ice training, weekly lectures and goal-setting activities to help participants grow into strong young women and talented hockey players.
As a player, Koelzer played 29 career National Women's Hockey League (NWHL) games with the Metropolitan Riveters. In 2016, the 5'7", 170-pound defenseman became the first Black player to be selected first overall in the NWHL Draft. She then posted 14 points (5g, 9a) in 15 games as a rookie in 2017-18, which ranked tied for seventh in the league. Selected to play in the 2018 NWHL All-Star Game, Koelzer set an All-Star Game record with four goals and was named the game's Co-Most Valuable Player alongside Hayley Scamurra. She earned one assist in two playoff games as the Riveters captured their first Isobel Cup championship. Koelzer has also played with the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association (PWHPA), skating with Team Decker in Philadelphia on Feb. 29, 2020, as part of PWHPA's Dream Gap Tour. Before turning professional, the Horsham, Pa., native recorded 100 points (39g, 61) in 128 games with Princeton from 2013-17 and captained the Tigers as a senior. She was twice named a finalist for the NCAA's Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top female college ice hockey player in the country.
Off the ice, Koelzer served on the NHL/NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory Committee, formed to accelerate the growth of female hockey in North America and ensure that girls can experience all the opportunities and benefits that the sport provides. In September 2019, she was hired as the head coach of the new women's ice hockey program at Division III Arcadia University, becoming the first Black head ice hockey coach in NCAA history. The Arcadia Knights are set to begin their inaugural season in 2021-22.
To learn more about Canes Girls Youth Hockey, please
visit their website
.
