Matt Woodard Named Women's Hockey Assistant Coach

HANOVER, N.H. – Head women's hockey coach Laura Schuler has announced the hiring of Matt Woodard as an assistant coach ahead of the 2019-20 season.

"I am super excited to have Matt on board," Schuler said. "He brings a wealth of hockey experience and knowledge to the forefront, having played both semi pro and Division I men's hockey, as well as having eight years of NCAA coaching experience and Ivy League knowledge.

"What impressed me the most about Matt was his passion for the game and commitment to excellence that he demonstrated in the hiring process," Schuler continued. "I know that Matt is going to be a great addition to this team and is going to play an important role in helping us continue to grow this program in a positive direction."

No stranger to the Ivy League, Woodard comes to Hanover from New Haven, Connecticut, where he served as assistant coach at Yale for two seasons (2017-19). He coordinated recruiting, conducted video analysis and film breakdown, and assisted with planning and conducting on- and off-ice practices.

Prior to that, Woodard worked in the same capacity at RIT, a position he held from 2013-17. While in Rochester, the Tigers were College Hockey America (CHA) champion twice (2013-14, 2014-15) and made it to the NCAA Quarterfinal in 2014-15.

He spent two years (2011-13) as an assistant at Manhattanville College, spearheading recruiting, organizing fundraising initiatives, managing the defensemen and providing individual skill development before and after practice.

Woodard graduated from AIC in 2009 with degrees in criminal justice and psychology. He was a four-year starter on the hockey team, a four-time All-Academic honoree and a recipient of the ECAC Award of Merit. After graduation, he played for the Fort Wayne Komets and the Bloomington PrairieThunder (2009-10). He went on to get his master's degree in sports business management from Manhattanville in 2013.

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