Nate Handrahan From RMUColonials . com Head coach Nate Handrahan enters his second season as leader of the Robert Morris University women ’ s ice hockey team . Taking control of the helm in 2006 - 07 , Handrahan devised a complete turnaround of the program from its inaugural season in 2005 - 06 . The new Colonials took the community by storm , as the team reinvented many aspects of its game as proved evidenced by their overall record , statistics and their players . Handrahan ’ s guidance and leadership took the team to new heights in its second season of intercollegiate play . The squad more than doubled its 2005 - 06 record by finishing the season with an 11 - 22 - 2 mark , compared to the first season ’ s 5 - 24 - 2 record . The revived offense under Handrahan exploded on the ice , scoring a combined 205 points , an improvement by more than 116 points . The defense proved strong in shutting down opponents , allowing 116 goals compared to the previous years 131 . The former Niagara stand out ’ s tutelage of his players was the most evident as the team grew as a whole throughout the season . Several players came to achieve at exceptional levels including the emergence of goaltender Brianne McLaughlin , who developed into one of the premier net - minders in NCAA Division I women ’ s ice hockey . Before taking over the women ’ s ice hockey program , Handrahan , under head coach Derek Schooley , served as an assistant coach with the RMU men ’ s ice hockey team . In his duties , he assisted in the day - to - day operations of the team as well instructing on and off the ice . In his two years with the team , Handrahan helped the program to an 8 - 21 - 4 mark in its inaugural season and a 12 - 20 - 3 record in its second season . A 2000 graduate of Niagara University , Handrahan returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2001 under Dave Burkholder . Handrahan ’ s duties included off - ice training , scouting , game film review , and coaching the team ’ s defensemen . Niagara earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2004 after winning the College Hockey America Tournament , marking Handrahan ’ s second trip to the NCAA postseason . During his collegiate career , Handrahan played in every game for the Niagara Purple Eagles over four years , leading them to a No . 6 seed in the 2000 NCAA Tournament . The former defenseman , who played under current UMass - Lowell head coach Blaise MacDonald , was a two - time All - ECAC West selection and holds the Niagara record for most consecutive games played ( 129 ) . Handrahan earned the team ’ s “ PAW ” award in 1997 - 98 and the “ Unsung Hero Award ” in the Purple Eagles playoff season of 1999 - 2000 . He finished his career with 13 goals and 66 assists for 79 points . Following the 1999 - 2000 season , Handrahan was signed by the Roanoke Express of the East Coast Hockey League , where he played the remainder of the 2000 season and the 2000 - 2001 season . Handrahan and his wife , Nicole , have two daughters , Haylee and Mara and are expecting a third in February . He and his family reside in Aliquippa , Pa . The Handrahan File Alma Mater / Year : Niagara ‘ 00 Coaching Experience Assistant Coach Robert Morris University 2004 - 2006 Assistant Coach Niagara University 2001 - 2004 Playing Experience Roanoke Express ( USHL ) , 1999 - 01 Niagara University ( CHA ) , 1996 - 2000 - Two - time All - ECAC West - NCAA Playoff Participant ( 2000 ) - Unsung Hero Award ( 2000 ) - PAW Award ( 1998 ) - Record Holder for Consecutive Games ( 129 )