Courtney Kennedy has been named head coach for the 2027 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team, following her successful gold medal run at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. Joining her coaching staff are Chris Bailey, Greg 'Boom' May, Makenna Newkirk, Mackenzie Bruch, and Bryce Aldrich. The tournament is set to take place from January 3-11, 2027, in Czechia. Kennedy has extensive coaching experience, including assistant roles in multiple national teams and a history as a player for Team USA. She steps into this role while also coaching at Merrimack College.

By the Numbers
  • Kennedy led the U.S. to a perfect 6-0 record at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship.
  • This marks Kennedy's first season as head coach of the Merrimack women's ice hockey team.
Yes, But

Despite Kennedy's notable successes, the challenge of maintaining an undefeated streak and managing various coaching personalities could present difficulties for the upcoming tournament.

State of Play
  • The 2027 team is preparing for the upcoming world championship while building on the momentum from 2026.
  • All coaching staff have varied experiences from previous national tournaments, enhancing team dynamics.
What's Next

The team will begin preparations for the world championship, focusing on training camps and player selections in the lead-up to January 2027.

Bottom Line

With an experienced coaching staff at the helm, the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team is poised to defend their title, but they will need to navigate challenges in team cohesion and performance consistency for a successful campaign.