This season marks Sara Reichenbach 12th overall season with Maine women’s ice hockey.
Sara has developed and recruited some of Maine's and Hockey East most decorated players. She is mainly responsible for the forward's development for the Black Bears. Under her guidance, Tereza Vanisova set multiple school records and was drafted 12th overall in the 2020 NWHL Draft. Sara has developed forwards in her career for Team Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Latvia, and Denmark.
Sara has been instrumental in all aspects of recruiting, leadership/team growth, system implementation, road trips, nutrition, forward skills on/off the ice, and assisting the staff in other aspects of day to day operation.
Reichenbach's first stint at Maine was as an assistant coach from 2007-08 to 2008-09 when she served as the recruiting coordinator and assisted in all coaching responsibilities, including player development and on-ice systems.
The native of Aylmer, Quebec spent three years as the assistant coach at Dartmouth College, working with the forwards, planning trips and events, video breakdown for team and opponents, and assisted in recruiting efforts.
Prior to Maine, Reichenbach was a volunteer assistant at Mercyhurst and earned her masters in Organizational Leadership.
Reichenbach returned to Maine as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2012-13 season before returning full-time for the 2013-14 season, when she acted as the co-head coach.
Before her coaching start at the NCAA level, Reichenbach coached one season at the North American Hockey Academy in Stowe, Vermont, where she helped mentor and develop young players to get them ready for the college level.
Her USA playing career began at Hebron Academy in Maine, playing two seasons for the ‘Jacks where she would take on captain responsibilities for both years. She also led Hebron to the New England Prep School Athletic Conference Championship in 1999. Following her prep school career, she played four years at St. Lawrence University and helped lead the Saints to four ECAC Hockey Tournaments, two NCAA Frozen Fours and was a four-time member of the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Squad. Reichenbach (then Simard) graduated from St. Lawrence in 2004 with a Bachelors Degree in Science.
Following her playing career at St. Lawrence University, Simard played one year of professional hockey with Lugano and earned a tryout with the Swiss National Team during her stint in Lugano, Switzerland.
Reichenbach and her husband, Richard, are the proud parents of two children, Mia, Ty, and Noah.
