Ashleigh Brykaliuk, who has served as a University of Minnesota Duluth assistant women's hockey coach for the past three seasons, has recently stepped down to pursue a career in teaching.
"As I make the difficult decision to move on from UMD, I will be eternally grateful for the opportunities that our university and women's hockey program has provided me as a student-athlete and coach," said Brykaliuk. "The growth and development that I have gained as an athlete, coach, and person since stepping foot on UMD's campus years ago is immeasurable and will help me succeed as I move on to my next chapter. Thank you to the Bulldog community for making my experience what it has been. To our student-athletes -- thank you for committing yourselves to our program and showing up daily to create a challenging, fun, and competitive environment. It has been an honor and a blast to coach such a highly driven and talented group of players."
"To our staff, Coach Crowell and Coach Bellamy -- thank you for your steadfast belief and support in me as a player, captain, and coach and for providing me the opportunity to work with and lead such an incredible group of people so early in my professional career," said Brykaliuk. "I am proud to have worked alongside you and have seen firsthand the time and effort you have put into guiding our program back to national prominence, including our Frozen Four appearance this past season. To our athletic department and Athletic Director Josh Berlo -- thank you for your continued support throughout my time as a Bulldog and for being such a strong supporter of our program, giving our student-athletes a place where they can grow and succeed as players and people."
Brykaliuk joined the coaching staff of her alma mater in the spring of 2018 after a professional hockey career in China. This past season, Brykaliuk became just the fourth former UMD player to play in both a NCAA Quarterfinal game and coach in one, and is now the third former player to coach in an NCAA Frozen Four after helping the Bulldogs get back to college hockey's biggest stage in March.
"Bryk has been an integral part of UMD Hockey for seven years and will continue to stay close to the program for the rest of her life," said UMD women's hockey head coach Maura Crowell. "From leading the team on the ice during her prolific career as a Bulldog to coaching the current team to a Frozen Four, she has cemented her place in the history books as one of the best ever to represent UMD as a player and coach. We have a special bond that will carry well beyond her days at Amsoil. Thank you, Bryk, for all that you have given to this program over the past decade."
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 student-athlete, she captained the Bulldogs into the 2017 NCAA Quarterfinals, helping UMD earn its first home NCAA Tournament contest since 2010. 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 -- nearly a 1.00 point per game average.
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.
A search for her replacement will begin immediately.
