Upcoming Event: Women's Ice Hockey versus Sacred Heart University (Exhibition) on September 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Women's Ice Hockey
vs Sacred Heart University (Exhibition)
3:00 PM
Providence College Athletics
Women's Ice Hockey
Kelly, Matt
Matt Kelly
- Title:
- Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach
- Email:
- mkelly42@providence.edu
- Phone:
- (401) 865-2291
Matt Kelly joined the Friars in 2018-19. In his seven seasons as a head coach, the Friars have posted a 125-87-25 mark. In his inaugural season, he led the team to a 24-11-2 record, helping the Friars to tie the program-high for wins in a season. Kelly led Providence to the Hockey East Semifinals for the first time since 2013 and coached three Friars to Hockey East honors at the conclusion of the season.
In 2024-25, Kelly led the Friars to the Hockey East Quarterfinals with a 20-12-3 overall record as a No. 4 seed. It was the third time during Kelly's tenure the Friars reached the 20-win mark. Kelly coached Reichen Kirchmair to Hockey East Player of the Year honors along with the Hockey East scoring title. She is just the second Friar all-time to win both. Kirchmair and Audrey Knapp each were named Hockey East First Team All-Stars while Brooke Becker was named a Second Team All-Star and Hope Walinski to the Third Team.
In 2023-24, Kelly led the team to the Hockey East Quarterfinals with a 13-17-5 overall record as a No. 5 seed. He coached Brooke Becker to Hockey East All-Star Third Team and Audrey Knapp to Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team.
During the 2022-23 season, the Friars made it to the Hockey East Championship for the second time under Kelly's tutelage. The Friars finished with a 22-11-4 overall record and a 15-8-4 mark in the Hockey East. He coached Sara Hjalmarsson, Lauren DeBlois and Reichen Kirchmair to Hockey East All-Star Honors.
In 2021-22, Kelly led the Friars to the Hockey East Quarterfinals with a 16-14-6 overall record as a No. 7 seed. He coached Sandra Abstreiter to Hockey East All-Star Second Team.
In 2020-21, Kelly led the team to their first NCAA Appearance since 2012. The team also made their first appearance in the Hockey East Championship since 2005. Finishing out the season with a 12-8-1 overall record as the No. 3 seed in the Hockey East, the Friars also spent 14-consecutive weeks in the national rankings, inside the top-10. He coached four Friars to Hockey East honors as Sara Hjalmarsson was named a Hockey East All-Star Second Team selection, Lauren DeBlois and Sandra Abstreiter were both named as Hockey East All-Star Third Team selections and freshman Claire Tyo was named to the Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team.
In 2019-20, Kelly led the team to the Hockey East Quarterfinals with a 18-14-4 overall record as the No. 3 seed. He coached two Friars to Hockey East honors as Whitney Dove was named a Hockey East All-Star Second Team selection and freshman Lauren DeBlois was named to the Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team.
Prior to Providence, Kelly served as a Head Scout for USA Hockey and the Women's National Team. His primary responsibility was to oversee and maintain the player pools for the U-18 and U-22 squads, in addition to the Women's National Team. During his time with USA Hockey, Kelly won a total of eleven gold medals. He recently captured a gold medal with the Women's National Team at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. Additionally, he helped the U18 team win four-consecutive gold medals (2015-2018). This marked the first time any U18 team won four World Championships in a row.
With USA Hockey, Kelly also was directly responsible for player selection to various USA Hockey camps and teams. Additionally, he helped foster player development and the implementation of long-term strategy.
Before USA Hockey, Kelly served as an assistant women's ice hockey coach at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. During his tenure there, Kelly helped guide the Golden Knights to a National Championship in 2014. Clarkson qualified for the ECAC playoffs each of the six years that Kelly was on the bench and claimed three league titles during that span. The Golden Knights reached the NCAA Tournament three times (2010, 2013 and 2014). Kelly recruited and coached several high-profile players at Clarkson, including one Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Winner, 10 Patty Kazmaier nominees and two ECAC players of the year.
In addition to his coaching experience at Clarkson, Kelly also spent a season coaching at Quinnipiac University (2007-08) and his alma mater, Wayne State University (2006-07).
A 2007 graduate of Wayne State, Kelly holds a bachelor's degree in media arts and studies. As a goaltender for the Warriors, Kelly earned All-College Hockey America Second Team honors in his senior season. He served as a captain and was named the CHA/Easton Three Star Award recipient in that season as well. Other accolades from his playing career include the CHA All-Academic Team and the 2004 CHA All-Tournament Team.
Originally from Walpole, Massachusetts, he currently resides in Hope, R.I. with his wife, Brooke, and his children, Colton and Makenzie.
Women's Ice Hockey vs. Northeastern
Saturday, February 16
Women's Ice Hockey vs. UConn
Saturday, February 02
Women's Ice Hockey vs. Boston College
Saturday, January 26
Women's Ice Hockey vs. New Hampshire
Saturday, January 19
