Dessart Named Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach

NORTH ADAMS Mass.— Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Assistant Dean of Athletics and Recreation Laura Mooney has announced that Julia Dessart has been named as the Trailblazers' Women's Ice Hockey Coach.

"Following an extensive search, I am pleased and excited to announce that Julia Dessart will become MCLA's next head women's ice hockey coach," said Mooney. "I want to thank Chris Donovan for stepping in to serve as the interim head coach at the beginning of the season and want to wish him the very best going forward. I am confident that Julia will guide the team to a strong second half finish and continue to build the program for years to come."

Dessart comes to MCLA from NCAA Division III Larence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where she served as an assistant for both the women's and men's teams as well as a stint as the interim women's head coach at the beginning of last season.

"I am very excited to get started with the team and help build on the success that has been created with the help of Evelyn [Fuls] and Chris [Donovan]," said Dessart. "I'd like to thank Laura Mooney for her trust in me and for the opportunity to step in as head coach of the women's hockey program here at MCLA. I see a great future for the program and athletic department and a look forward to working directly with the athletics staff."

A team captain and graduate the University of Colorado, Boulder, Dessart helped lead the Buffalos to two Western Women's Collegiate Hockey League (WWCHL) Championships.

Dessart will assume her duties on January 2^nd and her first game behind the Trailblazers' bench will be at Plymouth State on January 10^th.

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