COAD NAMED LADY CYCLONES FIRST EVER DIRECTOR OF PLAYER ENRICHMENT

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Lady Cyclones Hockey Club has announced Rhea Coad as the new Director of Player Enrichment. Coad, who currently leads the Lady Cyclones’ 19U & 14U Elite teams, will expand her role within the organization as part of its continued investment in player development.

This newly created position will focus on enriching every athlete inside the organization on and off the ice. Coad will develop a blueprint that will advance the organization’s cohesive strategy for building Cyclones players on the ice.

Off the ice, Coad will help the Lady Cyclones players who have aspirations of continuing their hockey journey into college. With her extensive knowledge and personal relationships at the NCAA and ACHAdivisions, Coad will be a great liaison to help players make much needed connections within the collegiate level.

Before joining the Lady Cyclones, Coad spent time as an assistant coach at Lindenwood University and Nazareth College. She also coached the Buffalo Beauts, a professional women’s hockey team in the Premier Hockey Federation, a league that preceded the PWHL. Coad joined the Beauts as an assistant coach during the 2019–20 season and was promoted to associate head coach for the 2020–21 campaign.

“I’m incredibly excited to step into this role with the St. Louis Lady Cyclones and help build an environment where athletes are developed not just as players, but as confident, resilient individuals,” said Coad. “This opportunity allows me to combine my passion for hockey with my commitment to mentoring the next generation of female athletes.

A former collegiate player, Coad graduated from SUNY Canton in 2018 with a degree in Health and Fitness Promotion and later earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs and Administration from Nazareth College in 2021.

Coad will also run hockey camps and clinics year-round, giving players of all ages a chance to train with her. These activities will provide opportunities for growing the game of girls’ hockey in the region.

“We feel growing our relationship with Rhea will help our players grow on the ice and provide much-needed guidance as they navigate the college hockey journey,” said Kristen Redick, President of the Board of Directors. “There is a significant need to help athletes understand the NCAA and ACHA recruiting landscape, and we believe Rhea brings a level of experience and perspective we have been seeking for several seasons.”

In addition to working with the athletes, Coad will become a resource for all the club’s coaches. She will establish a framework for mentoring coaches and assist with practice planning and game strategies.

For more information and to sign up for programming about the Lady Cyclones Hockey Club visit www.stlladycyclones.com.