Full Release

BOSTON – Former Northeastern women's hockey head coach Heather Linstad was honored with the Women's Hockey Founders Award on Thursday, as announced by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). 

The award honors a member of the hockey community or college coaching profession who has contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport of women's ice hockey in the United States through their enthusiasm, passion and selflessness.

Linstad was recognized by the AHCA for her pioneering efforts to advance women's ice hockey during her 21-year coaching career. The Chelmsford, Massachusetts, native pushed for equal treatment for women's ice hockey and was influential in opening up the AHCA to female head coaches. Along with Digit Murphy and Kelly Dyer, Linstad was one of the first women to attend the AHCA convention to lobby for equal treatment for women's coaches.

Linstad posted a 161-71-27 record in eight seasons at Northeastern (1992-00), while leading the Huskies to four Beanpot titles, the 1997 ECAC championship, and a berth in the first-ever AWCHA National Championship Tournament in 1998. Linstad was named the 1994 ECAC Coach of the Year and still holds the distinction of being the only individual to earn both the ECAC Player of the Year award (1989 with Providence) and the ECAC Coach of the Year accolade.

Linstad also won 161 games as the inaugural head coach at Connecticut, before retiring with a career record of 322-289-81, which places her as the sixth winningest coach in NCAA women's hockey history.