DANBURY, Conn. - Director of Athletics Lori Mazza has announced the hiring of Shelley Looney to be the first-ever Western Connecticut State University Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach. Looney, a two-time Olympic medalist and former head coach at Division I Lindenwood University, brings almost 25 years of coaching experience from the youth to the elite levels to a Wolves squad that will make its debut season as an NCAA varsity program in the winter of 2026-27. Looney comes to WestConn having spent the last three years as both the general manager of the Princeton Tiger Lilies Hockey Club and as assistant director and head coach of the U16 girls' team at the North American Hockey Academy.
"We are thrilled to welcome one of the most accomplished and respected figures in women's hockey to lead our program," said Mazza. "Her experience as an Olympic gold and silver medalist, multiple-time member of Team USA, and standout student-athlete at Northeastern University speaks for itself. Beyond her remarkable playing career, Shelley has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to growing the game through her work with USA Hockey, at the Collegiate level, and with her involvement with player development with U16."
Looney attended Northeastern University, where she was a decorated athlete and earned a bachelor's degree in recreation and leisure management. She was the ECAC Player of the Year for the Huskies in 1994 and has been inducted into both the Beanpot Hall of Fame and the Northeastern University Hockey Hall of Fame. Looney played for Team USA for over 10 years, earning two gold medals in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) 4 Nations Tournament, seven silver medals in the IIHF Women's World Championships, a silver medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City ana gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Looney also played professionally for the Vancouver Griffins of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL).
"I am honored to be named the first head coach of the Western Connecticut State University women's ice hockey program," said Looney. Building something from the ground up is one of the greatest opportunities in coaching, and I do not take that responsibility lightly. My goal is to develop young women to compete at the highest level on and off the ice. I am excited to get to work and make WestConn proud!"
Looney's coaching experience is extensive and impressive. She has been a coach and an evaluator and has held several executive positions at USA Hockey since 2003. Collegiately, Looney was an assistant coach at the University of Vermont and head coach at Lindenwood for four seasons. Looney was co-head coach of the Buffalo Beauts of the NWHL and coached the Nichols School girls' varsity team for three seasons prior to Lindenwood. She has also been an assistant coach with the USA National Team Development Program (17U Boys),coaching director for the New Jersey Colonials girls' hockey program, and head coach and director of operations for the Buffalo Bisons youth hockey organization. She remains active
"What impressed us most throughout the search process was her passion for developing student-athletes, her vision for building a championship culture, and her deep connections within the hockey community," added Mazza. "As we launch this exciting new chapter, we are confident that her leadership, experience, and commitment to excellence will establish a strong foundation for the future of WestConn Women's Ice Hockey."
