DUDLEY, Mass. (10/30/2025) – The Nichols women's ice hockey program is back for its 18th season and brings with it an even balance of returning student-athletes and fresh newcomers. The Bison, who finished last season with an 8-14-3 (5-10-3 CNE) record, will look to return to the playoffs after narrowly missing out last year.
Head coach
Michael Barrett returns for his fifth season at the helm. Barrett's team made a huge improvement last season on the power play, ranking third in the conference in power-play percentage (16.7%) and fourth on the penalty kill (84.6%).
Barrett's coaching staff for the 2025-26 season includes:
- Melissa Montesi '25 – Montesi, a two-year captain, joins the coaching staff as a graduate assistant after playing under Barrett for all four years. In her senior season, coach Monty earned the Coach Beast Mode award in recognition of her leadership and positivity as both a player and captain. She brings a new level of energy, skill, and commitment that will help the coaching staff thrive. Montesi will oversee recruiting, run the defense during games, and track data to help the team stay organized.
- Grace Melanson '24 – As an assistant coach, Melanson, also a two-year captain, adds tremendous value and insight to the staff. Coach GMel was a two-time Nichols Women's Ice Hockey Offensive Player of the Year and earned the Bison Pride Award in her senior season. Together, Melanson and Montesi will provide a strong bridge between the players and coaches as they begin their coaching careers.
- Dylan Knox – Knox will serve as the goaltending coach for the 2025-26 season. He brings new energy and greater accessibility for the goaltenders to help them flourish.
- Alicia Hunks '21 MSA '22 – Hunks returns for her fourth year as an assistant coach for the women's ice hockey program, providing invaluable experience in running team video reviews and scouting upcoming opponents.
When asked about the 2025-26 season, Barrett stated, "There is always optimism this time of the year. With the new additions to the coaching staff and the energy, work ethic, and adaptability the team showed in preseason, there is a sense of great optimism amongst the squad."
Leading the Bison on the ice this season are team captains sophomore
Kerstin Ambruso and senior
Avery Moriarty, with Moriarty entering her second season as captain. Among Nichols' returners are offensive threats junior
Ema Jaskova and sophomore
Alexis Pacheco, who tied for second on the team last year in overall scoring with 12 points apiece.
With the graduation of
McKenzie Muir, returners junior goaltender
Paige Almon and sophomore
Taylor Daley, along with incoming freshman
Ivy Grant, are all looking strong in the preseason and will compete for time between the pipes.
The Bison will open the 2025-26 campaign at home on Halloween against Framingham State University and begin conference play the following weekend against newcomer Johnson & Wales University on November 7.
For updates throughout the season, follow @ncbison on X and Instagram.
