Michelle McAteer knows what it takes to defend an NCAA women's hockey national championship.
After serving as an assistant captain during Minnesota Duluth's three straight championships (2001-03), McAteer will return to UMD as an assistant coach with the goal of replicating the 2008 title.
"[McAteer] was a leader in the locker room when there was a lot of pressure on us to win [in 2003]," UMD coach Shannon Miller said. "All her teammates and coaches will not forget that. It speaks volumes to her as a leader."
McAteer, of Toronto, was an assistant coach with the Vaughan Flames of the Canadian Women's Hockey League last season after two years as an assistant at Harvard.
Miller said she believesMcAteer, 26, will relate well to the players.
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"She is young enough to keep a finger on the pulse of the team, and that is very important," Miller said.
McAteer was known for her comic relief while she scored 67 career points as a Bulldog forward from 1999-2003.
"It is a gift to be able to crack a funny one at the right times," Miller said. "It is a gift, and she has it."
The Bulldogs have replaced both assistant coaches since beating Wisconsin for the national championship on March 22.
McAteer replaces her former teammate Caroline Ouellette, while Laura Schuler replaced Julie Chu. Ouellette, a Canadian, and Chu, an American, resigned to train for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
