Connecticut Whale forward Melissa Samoskevich has been hired as an assistant coach for the Princeton women's hockey team.
Connecticut Whale forward and World Championship gold medalist Melissa Samoskevich has been hired to join the Princeton Tigers women's hockey coaching staff.
"We are so excited to have 'Samo' joining our coaching staff," Princeton head coach Cara Morey said in a school news release.
"She was a dominant player in ECAC Hockey and with the U.S. national team and will bring her coaching experience from Penn State and Quinnipiac to help our team. She has a great hockey mind and strong connection with our players from her days at Shattuck St. Mary's. Samo is a future star in NCAA coaching and we're thrilled she's coming to the Tigers!"
While playing professional hockey for the PHF's Connecticut Whale, scoring 16 points in 24 games, Samoskevich also served as the Director of Hockey Operations for her alma mater, Quinnipiac. For the two seasons prior, she was an assistant for Penn State.
"During my time at Quinnipiac, I saw up close how consistent Princeton is in getting talented players to join the program and then developing them through their college careers," Samoskevich said.
"Princeton was always a challenge to play against and Baker Rink was a fun venue to play in, so I'm looking forward to being on the Tiger bench and making Baker home."
Samoskevich will return to the Connecticut Whale next season for her fourth campaign in the PHF. She also spent time playing in Sweden and with the PWHPA.
Internationally, Samoskevich won gold with Team USA at the 2019 World Championships scoring a pair of goals for the Americans. She also has a gold and silver at the U-18 World Championships, where in 2015 Samoskevich was named a tournament all-star.