Marykate Drinkwater Named Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach at Rivier University

NASHUA, N.H. – Marykate Drinkwater has been selected to lead the Rivier University women's ice hockey program, Director of Athletics Jonathan Harper announced on Friday.

"I am thrilled to welcome Marykate to Rivier as our Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach," says Harper. "Coach Drinkwater was a key member of the coaching staff at Western New England that guided the team to a conference championship this past season. Her commitment to the experience of our students was evident during our search process and was built from her own history as a high-level student-athlete at the University of New England. The women's ice hockey program at Rivier is in great hands under her leadership."

Drinkwater comes to Rivier after serving as a Graduate Assistant for the Western New England University women's ice hockey program, helping the team to a 17-8-3 overall record and the 2023-24 Commonwealth Coast Conference's (CCC) postseason championship in only its third season of NCAA competition.

"I am deeply honored and thrilled to join Rivier University as the new Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach," says Drinkwater. "I would like to thank Jonathan Harper and the entire staff for the opportunity to become part of this amazing program. I am incredibly grateful for the chance to lead and guide these talented student-athletes on their journey to success, both on and off the ice."

Drinkwater helped the Golden Bears rank in the top-five nationally in both power-play percentage (29.1%) and power-play goal scoring (25) on the way to the league championship and an NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship berth. The well-rounded team also recorded seven shutouts, leading the CCC while ranking 10th in all of NCAA Division III.

Hired as the first assistant coach in team history when the Golden Bears' program first hit the ice in 2021-22, Drinkwater assisted with practices and games while conducting film review, recruiting, and aiding with administrative duties while pursuing her master's degree in Sport Leadership and Coaching.

Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, Drinkwater spent four years competing for the University of New England women's ice hockey team before graduating in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Health, Wellness, and Occupational Studies while earning a minor in Coaching.

With the Nor'easters, Drinkwater competed in 107 games to rank second all-time in team history upon graduating. Academically, she earned All-America Scholar distinction as a senior from the American Hockey Coaches' Association and finished with 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points, logging a career-high 14 in her final campaign with the Nor'easters.

Drinkwater began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Biddeford (Maine) High School junior varsity and varsity girls' ice hockey squads. She has also served as a camp evaluator for USA Hockey and has coached for Iceworks Hockey and the North American Premier Showcase.

The native of Franklin, Mass. spent her last two years of high school at Worcester Academy. During her first two years, she attended Franklin High School where she was a two-time MetroWest Daily News All-Star and served as a team captain her sophomore season.

Drinkwater inherits a team at Rivier that made its first appearance in the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Alliance Championship (ECHA) game in 2023-24. Next year, the Raiders will make history as one of the founding members of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), the newest NCAA Division III women's ice hockey conference.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MARYKATE DRINKWATER

Katie Zimmerman, Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach, Western New England University

"Rivier University is in great hands with the hire of MK Drinkwater. MK is an excellent coach and recruiter, an impactful leader, and a wonderful human being. While we will miss her in Golden Bears country, we wish her nothing but the best as she grabs the reins of Rivier women's ice hockey."

David Venditti, Former Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach, University of New England

"I am very excited for Marykate as well as the Rivier community as they have just gained a person of high standards and a strong moral compass to lead the Rivier program into the future. Marykate's understanding of the game, ability to bring people together, and her desire to make those around her better are all ingredients to foster a program for growth as a person and a hockey player. I'm confident in Marykate's ability to build a reputable program, as well as inspiring her student-athletes to excel on the ice, in the classroom and in their future endeavors upon graduating."

Kevin Zifcak, Girls' Hockey Head Coach, Worcester Academy

"In my 27 years coaching, Marykate was one of my favorite student-athletes. She is passionate about the game of hockey and was always a team-first player. As a coach, she will bring that same energy and enthusiasm on a daily basis to help the student-athletes at Rivier University."