Women's Ice Hockey

Chris Donovan
	Ice Hockey (W) - Head Coach Norwich '73 Eighth season cdonovan@smcvt.edu 802.654.2765

Chris Donovan enters his eighth season at the helm of the Purple Knights in 2007-08.

Donovan has an extensive hockey background. He played for Archbishop William's High School in Braintree, Mass. and then went on to play at Norwich University from 1969-73, serving as captain of the Cadets in his senior year. He served as an assistant coach for the Saint Michael's men from 1991-1994

In 1995, Donovan took over as coaching director for the Vermont Northern Lights women's program. He worked with the 13-15 age group who were the District Regional Runners-Up one year, while the 16-19 group were the District Regional Runners-Up for two consecutive years. In 2002 and 2004, he was the only coach in his league to be selected as clinician for the YES Clinic during the Division I Women's Frozen Four tournament held at the University of New Hampshire (2002) and Providence R.I. (2004).

He was a member of the coaching staff at the Phillips Exeter Academy Hockey Camp during the summer until 2005 and on ice director of the staff as a member of the Breakaway Hockey Camp for Girls held each summer at Cairns Arena in South Burlington until 2006. In 2005 he was a coach at the Cornell Hockey Camp and is presently a returning staff member each year at the USA Development Camp for girls ages 13-17.

In the past seven years, Donovan has recruited four players who received ECAC East Rookie of the Week honors, two players that have garnered Goalie of the Week honors, four ECAC East Players of the Week, an ECAC East All-Rookie Team selection in 2004, and an ECAC East All-Conference Honorable Mention selection in 2005. In 2005-06, eight of Donovan's players earned a spot on the ECAC East All-Academic Team, including goalie Annice Mason who was nominated for the 2006 Hockey Humanitarian Award presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen. Another Goalie, Marcia Ring was nominated in for NCAA Women of the year. Donovan's players range from Maine, Florida, Wisconsin, to California.

A 1973 graduate of Norwich, Donovan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Secondary Education, and earned his Master's Degree in Administration in May 2006. He resides in Hardwick, Vermont.

Kristen Norris
	Ice Hockey (W) Assistant Coach Vermont '07 First Season

Former four-year forward and 2006-07 captain of the Catamounts women's ice hockey team, Kristen Norris, joins the Purple Knights this year under eighth-year head coach Chris Donovan, it was announced on Friday, September 7. She began her duties at the end of the month.

Norris was a four-year varsity ice hockey player at the University of Vermont and captain her senior year. She received numerous accolades including the 2007 Hockey East Academic All-Star Team, Hockey East All-Academic Team and ECAC All-Academic Team. Norris was a National Strength and Condition All-American while at Vermont and also served as a member of the Women's Ice Hockey Leadership Council.

"I believe her experience at the Division-I level will give our players new insight into the game," Coach Donovan said on Friday.

Experience is certainly one thing Norris is not lacking. Norris currently holds the record for most career games played in Vermont women's hockey history at 134.

"I'm hoping that her years as a forward for Vermont will help us put some more pucks in the back of the net," Donovan added. "She certainly has the energy and knowledge to motivate our team on and off the ice."

Looking to start a career in coaching, Norris will be gearing up the Purple Knights in the pre-season in their dry-land workouts this fall. Donovan expressed his excitement in having such a capable replacement in Norris for the 2007-08 season.

"I am incredibly excited to become a part of the St. Michael's College community." Norris said. "I look forward to hitting the ice with the girls and am readying for a successful season."

Norris, a Michigan-native, will bring her mid-western philosophy and hopefully draw more players from the hockey heartland that is the north-Midwest region.

Saint Michael's College

Athletics

Women's Ice Hockey