Laura Bellamy has been hired as the new head coach of Harvard's women's hockey team, replacing the now disgraced Katey Stone.
Laura Bellamy has been hired as the new head coach of Harvard's women's hockey team, replacing the now disgraced Katey Stone.
Laura Bellamy will be the new head coach of Harvard's women's hockey team after the school hired the alumni to replace Katey Stone, the now disgraced long time head coach at Harvard.
Stone retired in June following months of allegations and investigations related to alleged maltreatment, bullying, and hazing of athletes in her program.
The hiring of Bellamy marks a new era for the program, which will now look to rebuild their reputation in NCAA hockey.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Bellamy back to lead Harvard Women's Ice Hockey," said Erin McDermott, Harvard's director of athletics. "Laura brings a deep commitment to coaching and mentoring student-athletes excelling on the ice, in the classroom, and engaged in the community. We look forward to watching her coach in the rink that meant so much to her as a player."
Bellamy spent the past eight seasons coaching at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, including as an associate head coach since 2019.
As a player, Bellamy still holds Harvards record for lower goals against average in a season recording a 0.92 GAA in 2012-2013, and is second in career shutouts with 19. .
"This is a fantastic opportunity to work with an impressive group of student-athletes at a place I know and love," said Bellamy. "It is a great honor to return to the program, institution, and community that had such a transformative impact on me during my college years and is filled with people who encouraged and supported me on the ice and off. My aim is to advance this program by providing our student-athletes with a world-class experience and striving for national prominence in NCAA Women's Ice Hockey."
Bellamy has coached many award winners and national team members while at Minnesota-Duluth, including Team USA netminder Maddie Rooney.
"Harvard is getting a great one with Coach Bellamy," said Rooney. "Her dedication and knowledge of the game is unmatched and her ultimate drive to win day in and day out is felt throughout the whole team. She made my time at [Minnesota Duluth] so special and I'm so excited for her as she takes this next step."
"Coach Bellamy has had a tremendous impact on my career and has been instrumental in my development as a player and as a person," echoed Ashton Bell, who will turn pro this year after her career at Minnesota-Duluth. "She shares the same ambitions that her players have and she goes above and beyond to help them achieve their goals. Her passion and dedication to women's hockey is admirable and I would not be where I am without her mentorship and support!"
Harvard begins their ECAC schedule October 13 against Dartmouth.