Kelsey Koelzer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kelsey Koelzer |
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Koelzer with the Metropolitan Riveters in 2018
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| Born | June 16, 1995 Horsham, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) | ||
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| Played for | PWHPA Metropolitan Riveters Princeton Tigers |
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| Playing career | 2013–present | ||
Kelsey Koelzer was born on June 16, 1995. She is an American ice hockey player who played as a defender. Today, she is known as the head coach for the women's ice hockey team at Arcadia University. She made history as the first Black female head coach in NCAA ice hockey. She also works as an advisor for diversity, fairness, and inclusion for the NWHL.
Kelsey was the very first player chosen in the 2016 NWHL Draft by the Metropolitan Riveters. This was a big moment because she was the first Black player ever to be picked first overall in a professional North American hockey league draft. She played two seasons with the Riveters in the National Women's Hockey League. In 2019, she joined the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA).
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Kelsey Koelzer's Playing Career
College Hockey at Princeton
Kelsey Koelzer played 128 games for the Princeton Tigers in NCAA Division I. She scored 100 points during her college career. She was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award in both 2016 and 2017. This award goes to the best female college ice hockey player in the United States. In 2016, she was named the best defender in ECAC Hockey. She was also the first player from Princeton's women's hockey team to be named a first-team All-American. This means she was recognized as one of the top players in the country.
Becoming a Professional Player
In 2016, the New York Riveters chose Kelsey as the first overall pick in the 2016 NWHL Draft. This was a historic moment, as she was the first Black player to be drafted first in any professional North American hockey league.
She signed her first professional contract at the end of the 2016-17 NWHL season. Her first game in the NWHL was in the semi-finals, where the Riveters lost to the Buffalo Beauts. Kelsey then played two full seasons with the Riveters. In 2018, her team won the Isobel Cup, which is the championship trophy for the NWHL. She was also chosen to play in the 2018 NWHL All-Star Game and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of that game.
In May 2019, Kelsey joined the PWHPA. This organization helps professional women's hockey players. She played for Team Decker in an exhibition game in Philadelphia during the 2019–20 PWHPA season.
Kelsey Koelzer's Executive Roles
Coaching at Arcadia University
In September 2019, Kelsey Koelzer was hired by Arcadia University. She became the head coach for their new women's hockey program. This made her the first Black female head coach in the entire history of NCAA ice hockey. This is a very important step for diversity in sports.
Working for Diversity in Hockey
Kelsey is also a member of the NHL and NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory Committee. This committee gives advice on how to improve women's hockey. She worked with Melissa Parnagian to support the idea of giving the Willie O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal. This medal honors Willie O'Ree, who was the first Black player in the NHL.
On March 25, 2021, Kelsey was given another important role. She became the Advisor to the Commissioner on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the NWHL. In this role, she helps make sure that the league is fair and welcoming to everyone.
Personal Life
Kelsey Koelzer studied at Princeton University and earned a degree in psychology.
