Report: Philadelphia Flyers to partner with University of Delaware women’s hockey team

An NHL team is stepping in to help grow women’s collegiate hockey in its market.

According to ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, the Philadelphia Flyers are going to be holding a press conference on Saturday to formally announce that they will be partnering with the University of Delaware, supporting the development of the first NCAA D-I Women’s Hockey program at the university.

More details are expected to be revealed during the press conference.

Back in early, December, Delaware announced they are going to be adding a Division I women’s hockey program, with the goal of beginning play at the start of the 2025-26 season.

Delaware has two arenas on campus in Newark, with the team scheduled to play at Fred Rust Arena, which has a 2,500-seat Olympic-sized sheet of ice. It will become the 45th women’s DI program and the first NCAA hockey program in the state of Delaware.

The Blue Hens will join College Hockey America, becoming the seventh member of the conference, joining Lindenwood, Mercyhurst, Penn State, Robert Morris, RIT and Syracuse.

The program has already found its leader, as former Penn State associate head coach, Allison Coomey, was named the Blue Hens’ first head coach earlier this week. He duties will begin on April 1.

Coomey brings years of experience to Delaware, having also coached with Boston University and Niagara University. She was also a scout for the 2022 United States Women’s Olympic Team, also coaching USA’s collegiate select team.