By Matt Gajtka

Pittsburgh, Pa. — Former Robert Morris University women’s hockey star and two-time Olympic medalist Brianne McLaughlin-Bittle ’09 has been appointed as national team goalie coach for this month’s USA Hockey Women’s National Festival.

“Representing Team USA is one of my greatest accomplishments and blessings,” said McLaughlin-Bittle. “I am honored to return to the team on the coaching side and again be part of something so amazing.”

The event, set for the hockey holy ground of Lake Placid, New York, from Aug. 5-13, is meant to be a training ground for elite American players of all ages, with the Under-18 and Under-22 squads preparing for their respective annual best-of-three matchups against Canada on Aug. 14-17.

“We’re excited to bring together this elite group of athletes to train, compete and ultimately help make each other better,” said Katie Million, director of women’s national teams for USA Hockey. “The Festival really showcases the tremendous efforts of those in our grassroots programs across the country as these players have now emerged from their time as youth players to some of the very best our many programs have produced.”

McLaughlin-Bittle will be working primarily with the senior Women’s National Team during the camp, plus some assistance with the younger goalies as opportunities arise. This is her first coaching assignment with the Stars & Stripes, with whom she won two Olympic silver medals (2010 and 2014) in addition to a pair of International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships.

From Matt Popchock On YouTube.com – (01/15/2014) Brianne McLaughlin Highlights (No Audio)…

The 32-year-old Cleveland native runs her own goalie school and camps out of the RMU Island Sports Center, but she’s been dabbling in broader duties lately. She lent her expertise to USA Hockey’s top goalie camp the past two years, plus the girls’ Under-18 camp and the boys’ Under-17 camp earlier this summer.

McLaughlin-Bittle played four spectacular seasons for RMU from 2005-09, leaving school with a .910 save percentage in 120 games played for the fledgling program, plus NCAA Division I’s all-time record for saves in a career.

Following her time with the U.S. Women’s National Team, she played two seasons as the No. 1 goalie for the Buffalo Beauts of the National Women’s Hockey League, leading the team to the Isobel Cup league championship in 2016-17. She also served as an assistant coach at RMU from 2011-13.

Lifted by pillars like McLaughlin-Bittle, the RMU women’s hockey team has grown into one of the more consistent winning programs in D-I hockey. Coming off three consecutive regular-season College Hockey America titles — plus a 2017 postseason crown and NCAA tournament berth — the Colonials will enter their 15th season of varsity play this September.

From Be Terrific On YouTube.com – (02/13/2015) Brianne McLaughlin On The Michael Artsis Show…

Matt Gajtka is the Media Relations Specialist for Men’s Hockey and Women’s Lacrosse at Robert Morris University.