Norwich University Women's Ice Hockey

Bolding concluded his ninth season as the head coach of the Norwich University varsity women's ice hockey program in 2015-16. He has been the driving force behind the team's rapid ascension to the top of the Division III women's hockey ranks that culminated in 2011 with the Cadets winning their first national championship with a 5-2 win over RIT in only their fourth season. Bolding has guided the Cadets to a 195-54-16 record in nine seasons and was named the American Hockey Coaches' Association (AHCA) National "Coach of the Year" three straight seasons in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Under Bolding, the Norwich women's hockey team has quickly asserted itself as one the premier programs in the country. He has coached 36 New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) All-Conference players, 18 All-New England Hockey Writers All-Stars and 12 AHCA All-Americans in Amanda Wilks (2009, 2012), Sophie Leclerc (2011), Jillayne DeBus (2012), Sarianne Lynn (2012), Julie Fortier (2012), Kayla Parsons (2013), Tori Charron (2013, 2014), Marie-Philip Guay (2014), Kaycie Anderson (2015) and Taylor Cross (2015). Bolding has guided Norwich to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, six NEHC Tournament titles since 2009 and six straight NEHC regular season championships. In 2013-14, NU became the first team in NEHC history to finish with a perfect record of 16-0-0.  Over the last six seasons, Norwich has gone 97-3-4 against NEHC league opponents. Prior to his current post, Bolding served two stints as an assistant coach for the Norwich men's hockey team under successful mentor Mike McShane. Bolding was the men's top assistant coach during 1995-96 season, and helped recruit one of the finest recruiting classes in Norwich hockey history including the likes of Marc Bellemare, Curt Healey, Mike Ludwar, Bryce Herperger and Jason Lumsden. After a few years away from Norwich working in the engineering consulting industry, Bolding returned to Norwich in 1998 to become an assistant coach to the men's team. In addition to his coaching position, Bolding also served as the marketing director and manager for Kreitzberg Arena, and he sold over 650 season tickets during the team's first year in the building. During the 1999-2000 season, Bolding helped the Norwich men win its first national championship, with a dramatic 2-1 win over Wisconsin-Superior. A native of Red Deer, Alberta, Bolding was a standout defenseman during his collegiate playing days at Norwich, serving as the team captain for three of his four seasons. Bolding finished his NU career with 94 points. His 73 assists put him alongside the all-time career assist leaders at the school. In 2005, Bolding was inducted into the Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame. He now serves as NU Hall of Fame Committee member. A 1995 Norwich graduate, Bolding holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He was a member of Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi fraternities during his undergraduate days. He held engineering positions in Chicago, Boston and Montpelier, Vt., before returning to Norwich University as the Director of Engineering Admissions. Bolding and his wife Kari (also a NU graduate) reside in Northfield with their five children: Christian, Corinne, Dayne, Kylee and Makenna.

Fitzpatrick said. "Having seen firsthand the commitment that Coach Bolding has to this program, it is an honor to continue the tradition of hard work and dedication demonstrated by the players and staff over the years.  I am excited to impart the knowledge that I have gained through my experiences playing and coaching onto the current and future players. I look forward to contribute to the legacy of Norwich hockey in a different light now." Fitzpatrick was a four-year player for the Cadets that helped build the foundation for Norwich women's hockey program from the ground up. She helped guide Norwich to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and was a member of the Cadets' national championship squad in 2011. Fitzpatrick skated in 70 career games, totaling six goals and 13 assists for 19 points splitting time between defense and forward. In her senior season, she established career highs with four goals and five assists for nine points in 22 games played. "We are very excited to welcome Mollie back to Norwich to be our full-time assistant coach," Bolding said. "As a player, she was a great teammate and competitor here and was part of our NCAA National championship team in 2011.  She has great character, integrity and led by example during her playing career both on and off the ice. Mollie knows Norwich inside and out and will be an excellent mentor and coach for our very young team that wants to return to the NCAA's this winter." Fitzpatrick, a Falmouth, Maine native, returns to Northfield after one-year stints at both Endicott College and the Univ. of New England as an assistant coach.   "Mollie has done an great job since she graduated working to build her resume in the women's coaching ranks; and has learning from two experienced college coaches in Dave Venditti and Andy McPhee of UNE and Endicott, respectively," Bolding said. "She has also worked in the past summers for the USA Hockey Girls regional Development camps as well as Elite Hockey. We can't wait to see Mollie on the home bench again in Kreitzberg Arena this October." Fitzpatrick lives in Northfield.