DANBURY, Conn. - The Western Connecticut State University women's ice hockey program, which hired Olympic Gold Medalist Shelley Looney as its first-ever head coach in July, has added Ashley Ahlstrin and Jake Rioux as assistant coaches for the the Wolves' inaugural season in 2026-27. Ahlstrin served as the WestConn club women's ice hockey coach in 2025-26 and Rioux has been coaching with the Junior Stingrays in Charleston, S.C.  In addition, Ashley Scire, who was an assistant coach with the Wolves club team last winter, will assist the varsity program with as its social media coordinator.

Ahlstrin, an Ottawa, Ontario native, brings a over 20 years of experience as both a player and coach and owns a Level 4 USA Hockey certification. Her coaching experience ranges from U8 up to college, and she has been involved in prestigious development programs such as the Empire State Games and New York State Development Camp. Her combination of leadership, athletic achievement, and hockey knowledge make her an invaluable asset to our program.  Ahlstrin  attended Manhattanville College, where she earned All-American honors twice and led her the Valiants to four consecutive ECAC East Championships and two NCAA Division III National Championship final appearances.  Her impressive playing career also included a New England Prep School Championship with Brewster Academy in 2002.  Rioux is a 2017 graduate of Clemson University, where he played club ice hockey. He is originally from Bedford New Hampshire.