Reinke new FU women’s hockey coach
By PETER PIETRANGELO, DMG Sports Editor
POSTED: May 20, 2008
HANCOCK — Finlandia has hired Heather Reinke to replace Chris Salani as its women’s hockey coach, the school announced Monday.
Reinke was an assistant coach with Brown the last two years, helping guide the Ivy League school to a 15-36-7 record,
Prior to her stint at Brown, Reinke was the interim head coach at Niagara. The Purple Eagles were 11-21-4 with Reinke in charge. She was an assistant at Niagara from 2000-05. The Purple Eagles reached the Frozen Four in 2002 and lost in the semifinals. Reinke was in charge of the defense, which in 2002 was the fourth-ranked in the NCAA, allowing just 1.61 goals a game.
“Her coaching background speaks for herself,” Salani said of Reinke, who played college hockey at New Hampshire. “Not only playing at a Division I level, but being involved with coaching at the Division I level and being the primary recruiting coach for each of those programs, she’s going to bring a tremendous knowledge of prospects.
“She demonstrated a high level of recruits in both her places to work. Her ability to identify prospects will be a great help to the school.”
Salani, FU’s athletic director, stepped down after the season as the athletic department did some reorganizing. He is now the men’s golf coach. Reinke will also be the senior women’s administrator, a position left vacant with the departure of Katelyn Fogle after one year. Mary Kaminski took over as volleyball coach.
The Lions finished 7-17-2 last season with a 2-14-2 record in the NCHA. They lose three main cogs in Danielle Syrowik, Ashley Leitch and Brenda Peterson, but return their leading goalscorer in Katelyn McLean of Hancock, who had 13 goals and 11 assists along with nine upperclassmen.
“We lost five of our seniors, but the heart of the team is coming back,” Salani said. “The juniors and sophomores will definitely lead the way. They’re hard-nosed kids that have been around in our league and know what it takes to be successful.”
Reinke did not return a message seeking comment.
Peter Pietrangelo can be reached at ppietrangelo@mininggazette.com
