Nicole Norton

Biography

Nicole Norton enters her sixth season as the Friars' assistant coach in the 2026-27 season. Norton worked closely with the Friars' defense until transitioning to the Friars’ offense in 2025-26. Last season, Norton was influential in the development of three Friars offensively who produced more than 20 points (Reichen Kirchmair, Audrey Knapp and Jessie Pellerin). Norton also played a key role in the development of Reichen Kirchmair during her senior year, as she became the 29th player in program history to reach 100 career points. Kirchmair finished her career with 55 goals and 45 assists in 141 games. Knapp tied her career high in assists with 16 and produced her second straight season of 20-or-more points. Pellerin recorded double-digit goals (11) for the first time and finished the year with 21 points. She also led the team in the faceoff circle with a 56.4 faceoff percentage and 341 faceoff wins. Under Norton's coaching, Brooke Becker '24, '25G was named Hockey East Player of the Week and Lily Hendrikson '25 earned Hockey East Defender of the Week honors during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, Becker was named to the Hockey East Third Team All-Star team. For the two years prior to this role, Norton spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Long Island University, including the program's inaugural season in 2019-20. Despite the Shark's first-year status, Norton helped to guide LIU to the NEWHA Championship. In 2020-21, the Sharks were repeat winners of the NEWHA Commissio