Minnesota Duluth Names Maura Crowell As New Women's Hockey Coach

The University of Minnesota Duluth named Harvard women's associate coach Maura Crowell as the new head women's hockey coach, replacing outgoing head coach, and five-time national champion, Shannon Miller, whose contract was not renewed this past December in a controversial decision.

Crowell was one of three finalists for the job, along with current women's assistant Laura Schuler, and Mercyhurst head coach Mike Sisti.

In addition to her work as an assistant, Crowell brings head coaching experience after serving as head coach for UMass Boston for five years, and serving as interim head coach for Harvard during the 2013-2014 season while Harvard head coach Katey Stone coached the US Women's Olympic Team.

Minnesota Duluth has a traditionally strong women's hockey program, though financial issues have made it difficult for the program to compete with the likes of superpowers like Minnesota and Wisconsin in recent years.