CMCC to Offer Women’s Ice Hockey

AUBURN, Maine – President Betsy Libby of Central Maine Community College has announced that the College will start a women’s ice hockey program beginning in the fall of 2024.

In making the announcement, President Libby said the team will begin play in the 2024-25 season, and will move forward hiring a coach during the 2023-24 academic year. The team plans to compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), an organization of nearly 90 college and university affiliated women’s hockey programs across two divisions. Recently celebrating its 32nd season of existence, the ACHA provides structure, regulates operations, and promotes the quality of collegiate ice hockey.

All practices and home games will be played at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn. Marc Gosselin, Executive Director of Community Partnerships & Sports Tourism for the city of Auburn, added, “We are excited to be the home for the CM Women’s Ice Hockey program. We have experienced significant increase of interest and participation in girl’s hockey, and having a collegiate women’s hockey program skating at the arena full-time will further promote this.”

The Mustangs will most likely play an independent schedule during their inaugural campaign. Some of the teams identified as possible opponents include Bentley, UConn, Holy Cross, BC, BU, Assumption, Northeastern, and UNH.

“Our men’s hockey program has been an incredible addition to CM, attracting talented student-athletes from all over the country and internationally. Our women’s program will do the same, and share the enjoyable and competitive experience within the ACHA,” said Dr. Libby. “The Norway Savings Bank Arena is the perfect facility, less than a mile from campus,” Libby added.

Athletic Director, Dave Gonyea, noted that the top priority now is to hire a coach who can recruit quality student-athletes and build the program from the ground up. “The hockey coach will spend the first year recruiting and making sure the team will be ready to go when the 2024-25 season starts” Gonyea said.

Anyone interested in learning more about hockey at CMCC is encouraged to contact Dave Gonyea at 207-755-5251 or dgonyea@cmcc.edu.