Calgary Inferno announce Shannon Miller as head coach

Legendary UMD coach replaces Tomas Pacina behind the bench.

The most successful women’s hockey coach in NCAA DI history is taking her coaching talents back home to Canada.

Today, the Calgary Inferno announced Shannon Miller will be their new head coach.

From the press release:

“This will feel a bit like coming home,” stated Miller, a native of Melfort, Saskatchewan.

“I respect the league that many people have worked hard to build, attracting the best players in the world, and I’m honoured to move back to Calgary and be a part of it,” added Miller, who has been in conversation with Inferno general manager Kristen Hagg.

Miller served as head coach of the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs from 1999 to 2015. During her tenure the team won five NCAA championships. The Bulldogs had a record of 383-144-50 during her time. Prior to her collegiate coaching, Miller also coached Team Canada to a silver medal at the inaugural women’s hockey tournament at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

In 2015, Miller sued UMD for discrimination, citing Title IX violations. She won the case against the university this year and was awarded over $3 million.

Miller is taking over for Tomas Pacina, who stepped down at the close of the season according to the press release. Last season, the Inferno fell in the semifinals to Kunlun Red Stars, including a marathon triple overtime game three.