Deanna Iwanicka named head coach of Lancer Women’s Hockey

Mike Havey, Director of Athletics and Recreational Services at the University of Windsor is pleased to announce the hiring of Deanna Iwanicka as the new head coach of the Windsor Lancers women’s hockey program. The appointment is effective immediately.

Widely regarded as one of the top collegiate women’s hockey coaches in Western Canada, Iwanicka joins the Lancers after spending the past ten seasons leading the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks women’s hockey team. During her tenure, she guided NAIT to three consecutive ACAC championships from 2013-15 and was named the ACAC coach of the year in 2010 & 2015.

“The University of Windsor is thrilled to name Deanna as the first full-time women’s hockey head coach in the history of our program,” said Havey. “We are particularly excited to add a coach of the calibre and experience of Coach Iwanicka. She has done an outstanding job in building NAIT women’s hockey into a perennial championship powerhouse. We look forward to her leading our Lancer women’s hockey program in the years ahead.”

During Iwanicka’s time as head coach, the NAIT women’s hockey team left their mark on the ACAC record books. Under her direction, the Ooks are tied for most consecutive league championships with three and the program had two athletes named ACAC players of the year in Laura Stosky (2010) and Sherri Bowles (2013). In addition, three of Iwanicka’s athletes were ACAC single season leading scorers and three were named ACAC rookies of the year.

As a player, the Alberta native won a U SPORTS National Championship and two Canada West titles with the University of Alberta Pandas women’s hockey program.

In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, she has also previously served as an assistant coach for the U18 Team Alberta squad.

Iwanicka is looking forward to leading the Lancer women’s hockey program.

“I am excited about the opportunity to join the University of Windsor. I see great potential in this challenge, to build a championship women’s hockey program. Having won a U SPORTS national championship as a student- athlete, and then a few ACAC championships as a coach, the thought of an OUA and even a U SPORTS National Championship motivates me. I see this as a chance to really practice what I preach, to be comfortable being uncomfortable and to be my best by being better every single time.” – Deanna Iwanicka

Coach Iwanicka graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Physical Education as well as a Bachelor of Education. She has also completed her High Performance Coaching Certification, in addition to a Master of Arts, with a Specialization in Coaching, from the University of Alberta.

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