Jen Kindret named Head Coach of Saint Anselm women's ice hockey

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Saint Anselm College has hired Jen Kindret to serve as the institution's Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach, becoming just the third individual to lead the Hawks program since its inception.

Kindret comes to the Hilltop from Robert Morris University where she served a two-year stint as the top Assistant Coach for the nationally-ranked Colonials. Helping the team to 36 wins in just two seasons, Kindret was a part of the 2021 College Hockey America (CHA) title-winning program that made the institution's second NCAA postseason appearance.

"Jen's passion for coaching, and the sport, resonated with us during the search process," remarked Director of Athletics Daron Montgomery. "She will teach, lead, and mentor our student-athletes while building a championship culture on the Hilltop."

"We look forward to working side by side, collectively, with Coach Kindret to elevate the brand and profile of Saint Anselm women's ice hockey, both within the NEWHA and on the Division I stage," said Montgomery.

Heavily involved in the recruiting efforts for the Colonials, Kindret most recently secured the commitments of two invitees to the U18 Team Canada training camp and was a key part of the team's CHA postseason championship in 2020-21. Robert Morris finished the 2020-21 season ranked in the top three nationally in goals (71), assists (117), power play goals (16) and team shutouts (8).

With the Colonials in 2019-20, she led a forwards unit that contributed to the third-ranked power play (24.8%) and the seventh-ranked offense (3.25 goals per game) in National Collegiate women's ice hockey. Robert Morris concluded Kindret's first year in Moon Township, Pa. as the runner-up in the CHA Championship contest.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Hawks family," said Kindret. "I can't thank Daron Montgomery, Phil Rowe, and Neil Duval enough for demonstrating their leadership and passion for athletics at Saint Anselm during the hiring process. Since I stepped onto campus, everyone that I met was energetic, completely supportive and, most importantly, proud to be a part of such a special place. I cannot wait to get started and become a part of this outstanding community on the Hilltop."

Prior to joining Robert Morris, Kindret was responsible for starting the women's ice hockey program at NCAA Division III King's (Pa.) College in August 2016, building a team from the ground up. Tasked with managing all facets of the fledgling program, the team took the ice in 2017 for the first time under her leadership.

She spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Lindenwood (Mo.) University from August 2014 to May 2016, supervising all of the team's video-related efforts and developing scouting reports for the team's opponents while earning an MBA in 2016.

During the 2013-14 season, Kindret volunteered with NCAA Division III Chatham University and worked primarily with the team's power play unit, increasing the program's extra-player conversion rate from 6.8 percent to 14 percent with her mentorship.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was a four-year standout for Robert Morris before graduating in 2013 with a degree in Sport Management. A two-time CHA All-Academic Team selection, she helped the Colonials to their first CHA postseason title in 2012 and finished her career with 121 games played.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"First and foremost, Jen is an outstanding person and a fantastic coach. She has a lot of years behind her in terms of experience at the Division I and III level of women's ice hockey and will bring a wealth of knowledge to Saint Anselm through that experience. She has established many relationships with families across the continent and I am excited to see how she further develops the Saint Anselm women's ice hockey program." – Paul Colontino, Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach, Robert Morris University

"Jen is a fantastic leader who will do great things at Saint Anselm. She is a winner, both on and off the ice, and I am excited to see where she takes the Saint Anselm women's ice hockey program." – Logan Bittle, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Girls U16 & U19 Head Coach

"I've known Jen since she was a student-athlete at Robert Morris, so it is exciting to see her coaching career headed in the direction it is going. I am eager to see what she does with the Saint Anselm women's ice hockey program as she is a fantastic leader and a strong advocate for the growth of the women's game." – Candice Moxley, Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach, Western University