ORONO, Maine – University of Maine Vice President and Director of Athletics Jude Killy announced the hiring of Alex Gettens as the eighth head coach of the University of Maine women's ice hockey program on Monday.

A former Maine assistant coach, Gettens returns to Orono with more than a decade of coaching experience, most recently serving as an assistant coach at Colgate University for the past two seasons where he helped guide the nationally ranked Raiders to an at-large berth in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Prior to his time at Colgate, Gettens spent six seasons at Vermont, serving as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach for the 2023-24 season.

An introductory press conference will take place on Tuesday, July 28 at 2 p.m. in the film room of the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center at Alfond Arena.

"We are pleased to announce Alex as the next head coach for Maine Women's Ice Hockey," said Killy. "Throughout the process, he shared an unbridled enthusiasm and vision of comprehensive excellence for our program and his plan to get there. Ultimately, that culminates beyond just winning on the ice, in the classroom or community, but with making a lasting, positive impact in life. His familiarity with Hockey East, the Northeast and his previous time at Maine are all bonuses, as is his intense desire not just to be a head coach, but to be the head coach at Maine's only Division I institution."

While at Colgate, Gettens worked primarily with the forwards and goaltenders, coaching five All-ECAC selections over two seasons, including All-American forward and Patty Kazmaier Award Top-10 Finalist Kristyna Kaltounkova. He also coached six total PWHL draft picks, including the 2025 first overall selection Kaltounkova, as well as the first goaltender selected in the draft, Hannah Murphy. The 2024-25 season also saw Murphy set the single-season program record for wins with 26 while the Raiders won 30 games as a program and reached the ECAC Tournament Championship game. 

"I am so thrilled to return to Orono and to be back at this amazing University," said Gettens. "I'm honored that Jude Killy has welcomed me into this outstanding department. Jude and his team have created an amazing environment across Maine Athletics and it is with great pride that I look forward to guiding our women's hockey program into its next chapter of excellence." 

During his six seasons at Vermont, Gettens helped recruit and develop the first two All-Americans in program history, the program's first Patty Kazmaier Award Top-10 Finalist, two Hockey East Players of the Year and two Hockey East Rookies of the Year. Under his guidance, Theresa Schafzahl became the first Catamount to earn Hockey East Player of the Year honors and the program's first Patty Kazmaier Award Top-10 Finalist in 2021-22, while Natalie Mlynkova became Vermont's second Hockey East Player of the Year in 2023-24. During his time in Burlington, Vermont totaled 11 Hockey East all-conference selections and four All-Rookie honorees. In his final two seasons on staff, the Catamounts recorded back-to-back 22-win campaigns and scored more than 100 goals in each season, both program firsts. Four student-athletes that Gettens coached and recruited at Vermont have gone on to become PWHL draft picks. Gettens also served as acting head coach for five games during his tenure at Vermont, guiding the Catamounts to a 5-0 record in those contests.

Gettens is no stranger to Alfond Arena as he spent the 2017-18 season as an assistant coach at Maine, working primarily with the goaltenders. He helped develop Carly Jackson, who earned Hockey East All-Star Honorable Mention accolades after posting a league-best 1.88 goals against average. In his season in Orono, the Black Bears posted 19 wins – the most in program history – and earned the first Hockey East playoff victory in program history. Maine also appeared in the national rankings for the first time, climbing as high as No. 8 in the polls. Two Black Bears earned Hockey East all-conference honors while one was named to the All-Rookie squad. Off the ice, Gettens was involved in all aspects of the Black Bear program, including practice planning, skill sessions, film sessions, pre-scout analysis and recruiting, while also coordinating the team's community service efforts.

"I also want to thank Coach Decosse, Coach Plumer and all those I've been fortunate enough to work with and coach throughout my time at Colgate and the University of Vermont," added Gettens. "You all have shaped me into who I am today, and I will be forever grateful."

The Concord, N.H. native began his coaching career in 2011 with the St. Paul's School girls' ice hockey team and eventually helped the squad to a New England Prep School Championship in 2015. He also gained collegiate hockey operations experience at Vermont, working with the men's program during the 2014-15 season while assisting the women's program from 2014-16. Additionally, he served as a student assistant goaltending coach for the Catamounts and also worked as an intern coach at USA Hockey U15 and U18 National Development Camps.

Gettens earned a bachelor of science degree in community entrepreneurship from the University of Vermont in 2017.

To purchase your 2026-27 women's hockey season tickets, visit GoBlackBears.com/WIHTickets.
Single-game tickets for the upcoming season go on sale Aug. 25.
 

What They're Saying
"Alex is a tremendous coach and person. He leads with integrity, empathy, and genuine care for the people around him. He is naturally optimistic, with the ability to see the best in people. He builds trust, communicates honestly, and brings a thoughtful, measured approach to every situation. We are proud of 'Getty' and grateful for everything he poured into Colgate and the Hamilton community."
-Stefan Decosse, Colgate University Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach

"Coach Gettens was both empowering and a joy to work with. He helped me bring my game to the next level and created a culture that prioritized community, purpose and growth. Coach Gettens inspires passion and grit and I am so excited to have him back in Orono! Go Black Bears!" 
-CJ Jackson '20, Seattle Torrent (PWHL) Goaltender & Former University of Maine Ice Hockey Student-Athlete