Stonehill has named Lauren Williams an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team, which is set to open competition in the NEWHA this fall.
Williams joins the coaching staff after spending the last two years working at various hockey training organizations, most recently at Elite High Performance, which is an organization that uses a science-based coaching process designed to drive athletes’ health, wealth, self, and business and relationship performance to the next level, where she was a high performance coach and mindset brain trainer.
“I am so pleased and grateful to announce that Lauren Williams will be joining the coaching staff for our inaugural season,” said Stonehill head coach Tara Watchorn in a statement. “I could not think of a better mentor and resource for our student-athletes to grow both on and off the ice. Lauren’s expansive experience in mental performance coaching, as well as playing at the highest levels, makes her an exceptional addition to our staff and program as a whole.”
She also worked with CarShield Hockey as a director of women’s athlete development and performance the same year she was with Elite High Performance. Prior to her time with Elite High Performance and CarShield AAA, Williams was on the coaching staff of Becker along with current Stonehill assistant Megan Myers during the 2019-20 season.
“I am honored to be part of such a distinguished group that has such a unique opportunity in this inaugural season,” said Williams. “I can’t wait to get on the ice and behind the bench as a Skyhawk.”
Williams earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Wisconsin in 2018 and then her Master of Education in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counselling in 2020. A three-time all-Big Ten academic team honoree and four-year WCHA scholar-athlete award recipient for the Badgers, she served as an alternate captain her senior year and posted a career-high, 12 points (nine goals, three assists). Williams finished her collegiate career with six goals and 20 assists for 26 points and appeared in the NCAA Women’s Hockey Tournament and reached Frozen Four each year while also posting three 30-plus win seasons.
After her collegiate career, she has competed professionally in the CWHL and Swedish Women’s Hockey League and currently serves as a founding member of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). During her time in the CWHL, she was drafted first overall by the Worcester Blades and made the all-star game in her rookie year after being selected by various general managers and the league selection committee. While playing with Djurgårdens IF in the SDHL, Williams posted two goals in seven games played last season. As a member of the PWHPA, she and other professional women’s hockey players look to provide a united voice to players advocating for the creation of one sustainable professional league in North America.
