The University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey program didn't have to look very far to find its new assistant coach.

The Bulldogs will welcome back former UMD standout Ashleigh Brykaliuk as their new assistant coach.  Brykaliuk spent the 2017-18 hockey season playing professionally in China for the Vanke Rays of the Canadian Women's Hockey League, and compiled 25 points in 28 games on eight goals and 17 assists.

"I am extremely humbled and excited to be joining the team as an assistant coach, said Brykaliuk.  "I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to UMD and to the program that has offered me so much as an athlete and individual. I am looking forward to working with the team and the coaching staff to help bring our program back to the national championship."

A native of Brandon, Manitoba, Brykaliuk graduated from UMD in May of 2017 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.  As a player, Brykaliuk was a two-time All-WCHA Second Team honoree, earning the award in both 2016-17 and 2015-16.  Brykaliuk had back-to-back 40-plus point seasons as a junior and a senior, and finished her career as the 12th highest scorer in UMD history.  Over 146 career games, Brykaliuk scored 62 goals and added 83 assists for a whopping 145 points -- an almost 1.00 point per game average.  As a senior, Brykaliuk not only registered 45 points (17g, 28a) in 37 skates, but helped UMD return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011, and as NCAA Regional hosts for the first time since 2010.

A two-time team captain, Brykaliuk recorded the second-longest scoring streak in UMD history -- a 19-game, 26 point run that lasted from Oct. 29, 2016 through Feb. 11, 2017.  Brykaliuk also earned the 2016-17 UMD Maroon and Gold Team Award, an honor that was voted on by her teammates her senior year.  The award honors the player who the team thinks best combines the team values of work ethic, attitude and commitment to the team and to the game of hockey.  Brykaliuk was also a two-time WCHA All-Academic Team selection in both 2016-17 and 2015-16.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ashleigh back to Duluth," said UMD head coach Maura Crowell.  "She was a phenomenal player and leader as a Bulldog, and will continue to make a positive impact on the program behind the bench. Her offensive ability as a player was exceptional and her experience in the NCAA, Hockey Canada, and at the professional level will be invaluable to us as we move forward. She is in impressive company with the three former assistant coaches who were also alumnae. We look forward to having her back at UMD."

Brykaliuk joins an elite group of former Bulldogs who have returned to their alma mater to take the coaching reigns.   Two-time All-American Maria Rooth was last on the bench for the Bulldogs during the 2010-11 season, and followed former UMD forward Michelle McAteer, an assistant coach in the program in 2008-09 and 2009-10.  Four-time Canadian Olympic gold medalist and two-time Bulldog All-American Caroline Ouellette was the first former UMD player in history become an assistant coach, and manned the bench during both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 season.