ORONO, ME – Women's ice hockey head coach Molly Engstrom has completed her staff for the 2023-24 season with the hiring of Nina Rodgers as an assistant coach.  

"I could not be more excited to have Nina joining the squad. Our relationship has grown over time; her work ethic, knowledge and attitude are going to help project this team forward, I am certain of that," said Engstrom. "It's great to have her back in Hockey East. Her passion for player development is something we look forward to as well as her ability to make a community a better place. We are looking forward to all she has to offer."

Rodgers spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Dartmouth College, but is not a new face to Hockey East. The Minnetonka, MN native graduated from Boston University in 2018 with a degree in health sciences. Rodgers started her collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, winning two national championships while there before transferring to Boston University. She ended her four-year playing career with 56 points (26-30-56).

"I am honored to be joining this staff and program here in Maine. There is a great energy around this group. What they are building here is something that anyone would want to be a part of, and I can't wait to jump right in and get after it," claims Rodgers. 

After graduating from Boston University, Rodgers also spent three seasons playing in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). She played one season with the Connecticut Whale (2018-19) then returned to Minnesota to play for the Minnesota Whitecaps (2019-21).

Prior to Dartmouth and in addition to playing professionally, Rodgers was a head coach of the Upper Midwest High School Hockey Elite League and a head on-ice instructor at OS Hockey Training for three years. 

Rodgers is believed to be the first Black woman to coach in NCAA Division I hockey.