Chris Donovan, the only coach the Saint Michael’s women’s ice hockey program has ever known, enters his sixth season at the helm of the Purple Knights in 2005-06. Last year, Donovan's squad set a program record for victories and goals scored in a season.

Donovan has an extensive hockey background. A standout for Archbishop William's High School in Braintree, Mass., he went on to play at Norwich University from 1969-73, serving as captain of the Cadets in his senior year. He also served as an assistant coach to Lou DiMasi with the Saint Michael's men's team from 1991-95.

In 1995, Donovan took over as coaching director for the Vermont Select/Northern Lights women's program. He worked with the 13-15 age group who were the District Regional Runners-Up one year, while the 16-19 group were the District Regional Runners-Up for two consecutive years. In 2002 and 2004, he was the only coach in his league to be selected as clinician for the YES Clinic during the Division I Women's Frozen Four tournament held at the University of New Hampshire.

He is a long-time member of the coaching staff at the Phillips Exeter Academy Hockey Camp during the summer. Donovan is also a staff member of the Breakaway Hockey Camp for Girls held each summer at Cairns Arena in South Burlington. In 2005, he also was a coach at the Cornell Hockey Camp and the USA Development Camp held at the University of Vermont. Donovan also has a long-standing relationship with the USA Hockey Education Program.

In the past five years, Donovan has recruited three players who received ECAC East Rookie of the Week honors, one player that has garnered Goalie of the Week honors, one ECAC Player of the Week, an ECAC East All-Rookie Team selection in 2004, and an ECAC East All-Conference Honorable Mention selection in 2005. Last year, 10 of Donovan's players earned a spot on the ECAC East All-Academic Team, including Michelle Miaskiewicz, who represented Saint Michael's at the 2005 NCAA Leadership Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., over the summer. Donovan's players range from Maine to California.

"Chris has had a wide variety of experiences in hockey, both as a player and he has coached both men and women at a number of levels. Those experiences will serve him well in this new opportunity," said Atheltic Director Geri Knortz at the announcement of Donovan's hiring.
 
A 1973 graduate of Norwich, Donovan holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration, and is presently studying for a Master's degree. He resides in Hardwick, Vt.

Click here to email Coach Donovan.

Anne Blair, a part-time assistant the past three seasons, was named the Purple Knights' first full-time assistant women's ice hockey coach in August 2005. She assists head coach Chris Donovan with all facets of the program.

“Increasing Anne’s responsibilities within the women’s ice hockey program is an extremely positive step,” said Donovan upon Blair's hiring. “I’m excited that Anne has this opportunity to continue to display her commitment and dedication to these young women.”

Blair, who has also served as the secretary and treasurer of the American Women's Hockey Coaches Association since September 2004, has assisted Donovan with the women’s ice hockey program on a part-time basis for the past three seasons, the three winningest seasons in program history. Among her many roles with the team, Blair has developed and implemented successful dry-land and on-ice practices, organized and facilitated team meetings and team-building activities, and assisted in recruiting. She also was an assistant with the Saint Michael’s women’s lacrosse program in 2003 and 2004, helping the 2004 squad win a program record nine games.

Blair, who currently works as a retail assistant at the Alpine Shop in South Burlington, is a 1997 graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., where she received her bachelor of arts in economics. She was a captain of the women’s lacrosse team, and finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in assists and second in points (currently third and sixth, respectively). Blair also captained the women’s ice hockey club team at Wheaton, while also serving as the club’s treasurer.

Blair spent the summers of 2003 and 2004 working at both the Saint Michael's lacrosse camp, and the Breakaway Hockey Camp for Girls, She has served as a retail assistant at the Alpine Shop in South Burlington since November 2002, and as an independent event manager for the past eight years.

Click here to email Coach Blair.

Click here to email Coach Blair.