Lindenwood University Women's Ice Hockey

Spencer is in his third season as the head coach of the Lindenwood womens ice hockey program in 2016-17. He has been a hockey coach for the last 13 years, including the last ten in womens hockey.    In 2015-16, the Lady Lions recorded nine wins. That total included a 4-2 win over nationally-ranked Northeastern, marking the first time Lindenwood defeated a team that would go on and compete in the NCAA Division I National Tournament. The Lady Lions won six road games and also won a game for the first time in the CHA Tournament.   Lindenwood continued to improve defensively, allowing a school record 2.57 GAA, 0.87 lower than before Spencer arrived at Lindenwood. The team also allowed under 30 shots a game for the first time in program history. Offensively, the team scored 64 goals, a new program record against NCAA Division I competition.   Two Lady Lions were named first-team all-CHA in Nicole Hensley and Shara Jasper, and Shannon Morris-Reade was an all-rookie selection. Hensley was also named to the United States national team for the 2016 World Championships, and helped Team USA win a gold medal at the event.   Academically, 17 players earned CHA Academic Honors. Hensley was also named a first-team Academic All-American. In his first year in charge of the program in 2014-15, the Lady Lions had the best season in their short NCAA history. Lindenwood reached double-figure wins for the first time, picked up at least one win over every CHA program, and had a win over three WCHA programs, including nationally-ranked Bemidji State. Lindenwood became a tough team to beat at the Lindenwood Ice Arena, winning more games than its first three seasons combined.  Under Spencer, Lindenwoods offense had its highest goals per game total against NCAA Division I competition. On defense, the Lady Lions GAA was 0.41 lower than the previous season, and they allowed nearly 10 shots a game fewer than 2013-14.  Spencer helped two players earn first-team all-conference honors in Hensley and Jasper. Hensley also earned Academic All-American honors, and was one of 16 players to earn CHA Academic honors. Prior to coming to Lindenwood, Spencer was the Director of Female Hockey and Female Midget Head Coach at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia for two years. Pursuit of Excellence is one of North Americas premiere hockey academies and Spencer oversaw all facets of the womens program, as well coaching both under-19 AAA hockey teams.   His Pursuit of Excellence teams had success on the ice, including being a bronze medalist at the 2013 World Sport School National Championships and a silver medalist at the 2014 World Sport School National Championships. Seven players at Pursuit of Excellence became under-18 national team members, and 100 percent of his graduates moved on to play college hockey. His teams had an overall record of 77-38-20 in his two seasons at Pursuit of Excellence.   In 2011-12, Spencer was an assistant coach at Ohio State University. He helped the Buckeyes go 16-16-4 that season, an improvement by several wins over the last season. Among the players he coached that season included Natalie Spooner, an All-American and finalist for the Patty Kazmaier National Player of the Year Award.   Spencer was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University from 2006-2011, including being the Associate Head Coach in 2010-11. He coached seven all-conference players, two conference Rookie of the Year award winners, and one rookie All-American. Spencer was the head recruiting coordinator for the Colonials, including having a hand in recruiting every member of the team that won the 2012 CHA Tournament Championship.   Spencer was an assistant coach in mens hockey for three seasons at Bemidji State from 2003-2006. He helped the Beavers win two CHA regular season championships, two CHA tournament championships, and two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances. He coached two players that went on and played in the NHL. Also in that span, he was an assistant coach for the Junior A North Iowa Outlaws of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for one season.   Spencers student-athletes have also had success off of the ice. While at Pursuit of Excellence, 100 percent of his players made the schools honor roll. His womens programs have all had a team GPA of 3.20 or higher, and over 100 players have earned academic all-conference honors. His womens players also have a 100 percent graduation rate within one year of finishing their playing careers.   Spencer played collegiately at the ACHA Division I level for Minot State. He was a four-year letterwinner and helped the team make three national tournaments. Minot State finished in the top-10 nationally three times, including coming in third in 2001-02. He was a team captain and earned the Players Player Award in 2000-01 for his work ethic and putting the team first. Spencer received honorable mention honors at the 2002 ACHA National Tournament.   Spencer received a Bachelor of Science degree from Minot State in 2002 in Physical Education, with a minor in Coaching. He earned his Masters in Sports Studies from Bemidji State in 2012. Scott Spencer's Year-by-Year Coaching Record     Scott Spencer Women's Ice Hockey Head Coach Scott Spencer is in his third season as the head coach of the Lindenwood womens ice hockey program in 2016-17. He has been a hockey coach for the last 13 years, including the last ten in womens hockey.    In 2015-16, the Lady Lions recorded nine wins. That total included a 4-2 win over nationally-ranked Northeastern, marking the first time Lindenwood defeated a team that would go on and compete in the NCAA Division I National Tournament. The Lady Lions won six road games and also won a game for the first time in the CHA Tournament.   Lindenwood continued to improve defensively, allowing a school record 2.57 GAA, 0.87 lower than before Spencer arrived at Lindenwood. The team also allowed under 30 shots a game for the first time in program history. Offensively, the team scored 64 goals, a new program record against NCAA Division I competition.   Two Lady Lions were named first-team all-CHA in Nicole Hensley and Shara Jasper, and Shannon Morris-Reade was an all-rookie selection. Hensley was also named to the United States national team for the 2016 World Championships, and helped Team USA win a gold medal at the event.   Academically, 17 players earned CHA Academic Honors. Hensley was also named a first-team Academic All-American. In his first year in charge of the program in 2014-15, the Lady Lions had the best season in their short NCAA history. Lindenwood reached double-figure wins for the first time, picked up at least one win over every CHA program, and had a win over three WCHA programs, including nationally-ranked Bemidji State. Lindenwood became a tough team to beat at the Lindenwood Ice Arena, winning more games than its first three seasons combined.  Under Spencer, Lindenwoods offense had its highest goals per game total against NCAA Division I competition. On defense, the Lady Lions GAA was 0.41 lower than the previous season, and they allowed nearly 10 shots a game fewer than 2013-14.  Spencer helped two players earn first-team all-conference honors in Hensley and Jasper. Hensley also earned Academic All-American honors, and was one of 16 players to earn CHA Academic honors. Prior to coming to Lindenwood, Spencer was the Director of Female Hockey and Female Midget Head Coach at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia for two years. Pursuit of Excellence is one of North Americas premiere hockey academies and Spencer oversaw all facets of the womens program, as well coaching both under-19 AAA hockey teams.   His Pursuit of Excellence teams had success on the ice, including being a bronze medalist at the 2013 World Sport School National Championships and a silver medalist at the 2014 World Sport School National Championships. Seven players at Pursuit of Excellence became under-18 national team members, and 100 percent of his graduates moved on to play college hockey. His teams had an overall record of 77-38-20 in his two seasons at Pursuit of Excellence.   In 2011-12, Spencer was an assistant coach at Ohio State University. He helped the Buckeyes go 16-16-4 that season, an improvement by several wins over the last season. Among the players he coached that season included Natalie Spooner, an All-American and finalist for the Patty Kazmaier National Player of the Year Award.   Spencer was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University from 2006-2011, including being the Associate Head Coach in 2010-11. He coached seven all-conference players, two conference Rookie of the Year award winners, and one rookie All-American. Spencer was the head recruiting coordinator for the Colonials, including having a hand in recruiting every member of the team that won the 2012 CHA Tournament Championship.   Spencer was an assistant coach in mens hockey for three seasons at Bemidji State from 2003-2006. He helped the Beavers win two CHA regular season championships, two CHA tournament championships, and two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances. He coached two players that went on and played in the NHL. Also in that span, he was an assistant coach for the Junior A North Iowa Outlaws of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for one season.   Spencers student-athletes have also had success off of the ice. While at Pursuit of Excellence, 100 percent of his players made the schools honor roll. His womens programs have all had a team GPA of 3.20 or higher, and over 100 players have earned academic all-conference honors. His womens players also have a 100 percent graduation rate within one year of finishing their playing careers.   Spencer played collegiately at the ACHA Division I level for Minot State. He was a four-year letterwinner and helped the team make three national tournaments. Minot State finished in the top-10 nationally three times, including coming in third in 2001-02. He was a team captain and earned the Players Player Award in 2000-01 for his work ethic and putting the team first. Spencer received honorable mention honors at the 2002 ACHA National Tournament.   Spencer received a Bachelor of Science degree from Minot State in 2002 in Physical Education, with a minor in Coaching. He earned his Masters in Sports Studies from Bemidji State in 2012. Scott Spencer's Year-by-Year Coaching Record    

Whitaker is in his fifth season on the Lindenwood women's ice hockey coaching staff. He is the programs goalies coach. Over his first four seasons, Whitaker has overseen the development of Nicole Hensley, one of the top goalies in NCAA Division I. Hensley finished her career with a 4,094 saves and became the first female collegiate goalie with over 4,000 saves. She had a .921 save percentage and finished her career with a 2.98 GAA.   Hensley has also improved her standings with the USA Hockey team since coming to Lindenwood, including participating in the 2016 World Championships. Hensley was a member of the gold-medal winning Team USA, and she recorded a shutout in her first start on the national team. In her final season at Lindenwood, Hensley lowered her GAA to 2.52 and she was named a first-team all-CHA for the second-straight year. Whitaker also helped coach freshman Jolene deBryun who had a .930 save percentage in six games. In 2014-15, Whitakers protégé, Hensley, was named a first-team all-CHA pick after setting school records for wins and GAA. She had a .916 save percentage and recorded two shutouts, including one over nationally-ranked Bemidji State. In 2013-14, Hensley led NCAA Division I with 1,198 saves, the third-most in NCAA history. She had a 3.31 GAA and a .921 save percentage on the year. Among her top performances was making 55 saves in a win over nationally-ranked Robert Morris, and 41 saves in a tie with nationally-ranked Mercyhurst. Hensley was a second-team all-CHA pick, and was selected to participate in the Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp for the second straight year. In 2012-13, Hensley was the nations top rookie goalie. Hensley led NCAA Division I with 1,083 saves and had a .922 save percentage. She made 90 saves in one postseason game, the most ever in a NCAA Division I contest. After the season, Hensley was named the nations top freshman goalie, and she was a second-team CHA selection and the CHA Rookie of the Year. Hensley was also invited to attend the prestigious Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp. Prior to coming to Lindenwood, Whitaker was the head coach for five seasons for Grand Valley State in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). He started the program in 2007-08 and in just the second season, helped the Lakers earn a bid to the ACHA National Tournament. He led Grand Valley State to nationals three times in five years, including a fifth-place finish in 2009-10. He finished his Grand Valley State career with a 67-64-7 overall record, including a 66-47-7 mark over the last four years. Whitaker played collegiate hockey with Grand Valley State from 1996-2001. During his career, he logged more than 2,700 minutes on the ice and faced more than 2,000 shots. He had a .903 save percentage. In 2001, he was named first-team all-conference and was selected to play in the conference All-Star Showcase game. Whitaker graduated from Grand Valley State in 2001.