Michael Barrett was named the eighth head coach in the history of the Nichols College women’s ice hockey program during the summer of 2021.
In the 2025–26 season, Barrett guided the Bison to continued offensive growth, as Nichols ranked second in the Conference of New England (CNE) in power-play percentage (.202) and third in goals per game (2.12). The Bison’s 53 goals, 2.12 goals per game, and .202 power-play percentage all ranked among the top three single-season marks in program history. Individually, Barrett’s squad produced seven CNE weekly award winners - tying a program record - and saw freshman forward Keira Goffe earn All-CNE Second Team honors.
Since taking over the Nichols College women’s ice hockey program in 2021–22, Michael Barrett has overseen steady growth and record-setting milestones, including a program-record 16-win debut season, the second playoff victory in program history, and multiple single-season offensive benchmarks across goals, assists, points, and special teams production. The Bison have continued to develop into a competitive Conference of New England program under his leadership, highlighted by their recent top-three league rankings in power-play percentage (.202) and goals per game (2.12) in 2025-26, while having guided a growing list of individual accolades, including a solo All-Conference First Team and two All-Conference Second Team selections, as well as a combined 20 weekly award honorees.
Prior to Nichols, Barrett spent more than 30 years in collegiate athletics at Quinnipiac University, most recently serving as Director of Athletic and School of Communications Development from 2017–21. He previously served as an assistant coach with the men’s ice hockey program (1985–92) and later as head coach of the women’s ice hockey program, where he guided the program through its early varsity years and produced multiple 10+ win seasons, including 11 victories in 2003–04.
Barrett also served as a color analyst for Quinnipiac men’s and women’s broadcasts from 2008–19 and previously held the head coaching position at Sacred Heart University during its transition from Division III to Division I. He served as Vice President (2004–06) and President (2006–08) of the American Women’s Hockey Coaches Association.
A native of Warwick, Rhode Island, Barrett began his coaching career at the high school level with stops at Milford (1992–94), North Haven (1994–97), and Lyman Hall (1997–2000). He holds a lifetime Level 5 coaching certification from USA Hockey and coached at the USA Women’s National Development Camp in Lake Placid from 2002–07. He also coached with the Connecticut Polar Bears (2010–16) and Connecticut Shoreline Sharks U-19 program in 2017.
A former standout at Quinnipiac, Barrett was a four-year member of the men’s ice hockey team and served as captain in both his junior and senior seasons. He finished his career with 126 points, including 62 goals, and earned team MVP and Most Outstanding Male Athlete honors. He was inducted into the Quinnipiac University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.
