USA Hockey Names Coaching Staff for U-18 Women's Team

USA Hockey today announced its coaching staff for the 2026 Under-18 Women's National Team, led by head coach Courtney Kennedy, that will take the team to the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship.

Kennedy, who currently serves as a skills coach for the PWHL's Boston Fleet, was an assistant for the U-18 team in 2025. Her previous experience includes an assistant coaching position for the Olympic team in 2022 as well as prior experience with the U-18 team. She also spent 17 seasons with Boston College in various roles, including associate head coach from 2012-2024.

During her playing career, Kennedy was a two-time Olympian, winning bronze in 2002 at Salt Lake City and in 2006 at Torino. She also won gold at Worlds in 2005. In her elevated role, Kennedy replaces Liz Keady Norton, who led the U-18 team for the last two seasons.

Under Keady Norton, the U.S. won gold in 2024 and silver in 2025.

Shelly Picard, Greg May, and Chris Bailey will serve as assistant coaches for the U-18 team. Picard was previously an intern coach with the team. She spent the last two seasons with LIU as an assistant coach after serving in the same role for two seasons with Princeton. She was also the deputy commissioner and director of player development for the NWHL/PHF.

May and Bailey are both making their international debuts. May spent the last two seasons with Minnesota as an associate head coach, his first foray into women's hockey. Bailey is a two-time Olympian who won gold in 1998 and a five-time Women's Worlds medalist.

Mackenzie Bruch returns as goaltending coach, while Haley Skarupa will serve as the team's general manager. Bruch is an assistant coach at Minnesota State and has prior coaching experience at Yale after playing at Bemidji State. Skarupa is the head scout of the U.S. Women's National Team program and also serves as a scout for the PWHL's Minnesota Frost.

As announced earlier this year, the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women's World Championship will be held from January 10-18 in Sydney and Membertou, Nova Scotia. A game schedule and ticketing info will become available closer to the tournament.