JWU women’s ice hockey coach Maddy Santore named Coach of the Year

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Maddy Santore has been named Coach of the Year in the Conference of New England after leading the Johnson & Wales University Providence women’s ice hockey team to one of the most successful seasons in program history.

Santore guided the Wildcats to a program record 14 wins during the 2025–26 season. The team also earned the second playoff victory in program history and its first postseason win on home ice. 

The recognition highlights the continued growth of the JWU women’s hockey program under Santore’s leadership.

Building a Strong Program at JWU

Santore took over the Wildcats program before the 2022–23 season. Since then, the team has qualified for the conference playoffs in each of her seasons behind the bench. 

During the latest season, JWU ranked among the conference leaders in several defensive categories. The Wildcats tied for fourth for the fewest goals in the conference and posted the third highest save percentage at .933.

Those improvements helped elevate the team into a competitive position within the Conference of New England.

Individual Honors for Wildcats Players

Several JWU players also received conference recognition.

Senior Allyson Barry and sophomore Grace Adams were both named to the CNE Second Team All Conference squad, while senior Kylie O’Keefe was named to the Community Service Team.

Barry led the Wildcats with 11 assists and finished with 15 points on the season. Adams tied for the team lead in scoring and ranked 7th among the conference leaders in goals. Adams also picked up her first collegiate hat trick in a win over Suffolk University.

A Milestone Season for the Wildcats

The Coach of the Year honor reflects the progress the program has made under Santore. In just a few seasons, the Wildcats have improved their results and established themselves as a leader in the conference.

With a program record number of wins and postseason success, the 2025–26 season stands as one of the most significant in the history of JWU women’s ice hockey.