Nicole Norton - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Nicole Norton

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
Phone:
(401) 865-1712

Nicole Norton enters her sixth season as the Friars' assistant coach in the 2026-27 season. Norton worked closely with the Friars' defense until transitioning to the Friars’ offense in 2025-26.

Last season, Norton was influential in the development of three Friars offensively who produced more than 20 points (Reichen Kirchmair, Audrey Knapp and Jessie Pellerin). Norton also played a key role in the development of Reichen Kirchmair during her senior year, as she became the 29th player in program history to reach 100 career points. Kirchmair finished her career with 55 goals and 45 assists in 141 games. Knapp tied her career high in assists with 16 and produced her second straight season of 20-or-more points. Pellerin recorded double-digit goals (11) for the first time and finished the year with 21 points. She also led the team in the faceoff circle with a 56.4 faceoff percentage and 341 faceoff wins.

Under Norton's coaching, Brooke Becker '24, '25G was named Hockey East Player of the Week and Lily Hendrikson '25 earned Hockey East Defender of the Week honors during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, Becker was named to the Hockey East Third Team All-Star team.

For the two years prior to this role, Norton spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Long Island University, including the program's inaugural season in 2019-20. Despite the Shark's first-year status, Norton helped to guide LIU to the NEWHA Championship. In 2020-21, the Sharks were repeat winners of the NEWHA Commissioner's Cup in an abbreviated series due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norton assisted in all areas of the program, including team development, individual skill development, defensive management, video analysis, team operations and recruiting.

Before LIU, Norton spent two years as an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Nichols College. During her tenure at Nichols the team set the program record for wins in a season and helped guide the Bison to their first playoff win (2018).

A 2016 graduate of Syracuse University, Norton played in 145 games for the Orange. During her career she recorded 18 goals and 58 assists and served as assistant captain in her final two seasons. Norton opened her collegiate career as a unanimous selection to the CHA All-Rookie Team and claimed First Team All-CHA honors in each of her next three seasons with the Orange. Norton also was named CHA Defenseman of the Year as a senior in 2016.

Following graduation from Syracuse, Norton continued her playing career in the European Women's Hockey League (EWHL) on the EV Bozen 84 Eagles. During her time with the Eagles, she helped the team achieve a regular-season and playoff championship.