Tina Ciralaulo
St. Cloud State alumna Tina Ciraulo becomes first female head coach in USPHL history
11/2/2020 12:00:00 PM | Women's Hockey
In a historic weekend for the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), St. Cloud State women's hockey alumna Tina Ciraulo was named the head coach of the Metro Hockey Club on Friday ahead of their series with the Columbus Mavericks. Ciraulo becomes the first-ever female head coach in the USPHL's eight-year history.
"I don't think of it as being any different. You prepare the same way and make sure the guys are focused and ready to go," Ciraulo told USPHL media on Friday, "This [Metro Jets] program is great...I've known General Manager/Head Coach Justin Quenneville for a long time now. We all want to help these guys get to the next level. That is my passion: developing players to achieve their goals and helping them get to the highest level they can play. I've coached males and females my whole life. Being in this program, it's just about developing players."Â
Ciraulo played four seasons with the Huskies and spent three as either a captain or an alternate captain prior to her graduation following the 2004-05 campaign.
"All of us here at St. Cloud State are so proud of Tina and how she continues to pave the way for the next generation," said St. Cloud State head coach Steve Macdonald, "A true competitor while she was here, Tina was a team captain three of her four years at SCSU and wore the 'C' in her senior season. We have no doubt that Tina will continue provide the leadership necessary to influence this generation of hockey players and advance opportunities for females in the game!"
The Metro Hockey Club is part of the Metro Jets Hockey Club located in Ciraulo's hometown of Fraser, Michigan. Entering their 32nd season in 2020-21, the Jets are fresh off the program's fifth straight National Championship Finals Appearance, a 2019 UPSHL Season Championship and were the 2020 Great Lakes division champs for the sixth straight year. The Jets compete in the Great Lakes Division (Premier) and the MJDP in the Midwest East Division (Premier).
"Tina comes from a strong hockey background and we are excited about her being added full time to the Jets," Metro Jets program director Justin Quenneville told USPHL media, "She brings energy, passion, and experience working with players at every level. Being a former NCAA D1 hockey player as well, she fits right in with our model in helping produce opportunities for our players. I've personally known Tina for several years and not only is she dedicated, but she's committed to continuing our program's focus on player development and advancement."
Ciraulo and the Metro Hockey Club will be back in action this weekend as they host Toledo and travel to Wooster.
USPHL Story
"I don't think of it as being any different. You prepare the same way and make sure the guys are focused and ready to go," Ciraulo told USPHL media on Friday, "This [Metro Jets] program is great...I've known General Manager/Head Coach Justin Quenneville for a long time now. We all want to help these guys get to the next level. That is my passion: developing players to achieve their goals and helping them get to the highest level they can play. I've coached males and females my whole life. Being in this program, it's just about developing players."Â
Ciraulo played four seasons with the Huskies and spent three as either a captain or an alternate captain prior to her graduation following the 2004-05 campaign.
"All of us here at St. Cloud State are so proud of Tina and how she continues to pave the way for the next generation," said St. Cloud State head coach Steve Macdonald, "A true competitor while she was here, Tina was a team captain three of her four years at SCSU and wore the 'C' in her senior season. We have no doubt that Tina will continue provide the leadership necessary to influence this generation of hockey players and advance opportunities for females in the game!"
The Metro Hockey Club is part of the Metro Jets Hockey Club located in Ciraulo's hometown of Fraser, Michigan. Entering their 32nd season in 2020-21, the Jets are fresh off the program's fifth straight National Championship Finals Appearance, a 2019 UPSHL Season Championship and were the 2020 Great Lakes division champs for the sixth straight year. The Jets compete in the Great Lakes Division (Premier) and the MJDP in the Midwest East Division (Premier).
"Tina comes from a strong hockey background and we are excited about her being added full time to the Jets," Metro Jets program director Justin Quenneville told USPHL media, "She brings energy, passion, and experience working with players at every level. Being a former NCAA D1 hockey player as well, she fits right in with our model in helping produce opportunities for our players. I've personally known Tina for several years and not only is she dedicated, but she's committed to continuing our program's focus on player development and advancement."
Ciraulo and the Metro Hockey Club will be back in action this weekend as they host Toledo and travel to Wooster.
USPHL Story
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