Elite Head Coaches Announced for 26/27 Season
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Lady Cyclones Hockey Club are proud to announce coaching appointments for the 2026–27 season, naming Rhea Coad as Head Coach of the 14U Elite and 19U Elite teams, while Terry Champaign will continue as Head Coach of the 16U Elite team. All three teams are expected to compete in NIHL next season.
Coad, who currently leads the Lady Cyclones’ 19U Elite team, will expand her role within the organization by assuming leadership of the 14U Elite program. The club is also exploring additional opportunities for Coad to engage with more teams throughout the season as part of its continued investment in player development.
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.
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.
“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.”
Champaign returns after a successful year leading the 16U Elite program. Last season, his 14U team earned a place in the NIHL National Division playoffs, captured the Missouri State Championship, advanced to district competition in the National Qualifier Tournament, and won the 2024 Premier Ice Prospects Deep Dish Tournament.
This season, Champaign guided the 16U Elite team to a first-place finish at the Premier Ice Prospects Smashville Showcase, with state qualifiers set to begin at the end of February.
“Terry led our 16U Elite team through a highly competitive NIHL season and captured the Smashville Girls Showcase Championship in December,” Redick said. “We look forward to continued growth from our athletes as they build on the experience gained under his leadership.”
Prior to joining the Cyclones, Champaign spent over 20 years coaching various levels, including AAA and AA. In 2012, he led his team to the AA National Championship.
The Cyclones will announce their 12U Elite coach in the coming months.
Families interested in the Lady Cyclones Spring programs and Elite AA camps can learn more at https://www.stlladycyclones.com/program/spring-hockey/18
https://www.stlladycyclones.com/program/camps-supplemental-training/17