ORONO – University of Maine assistant women’s hockey coach Shantel Gammie, who had been with the program since it attained varsity status five years ago, will be formally introduced today as the first hockey coach for the University of North Dakota’s women’s team. She will start immediately.

“It’s very exciting,” said Gammie, who has a one-year contract that will pay her $50,000 per year. “It’s a step up in my career and I’m looking forward to starting a new program again. I would rather be a pioneer coach than take over an established program.

“The potential is great. They have great facilities, their athletic programs are all doing well and they are well-supported by the fans, the community and the administration,” said the 29-year-old Gammie.

The Fighting Sioux will be a Division I independent next season before applying for membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association the following year.

Gammie has three full scholarships at her disposal but expects to have the full complement of 18 scholarships within five years.

They will play in the brand new 11,300-seat Ralph Engelstad Arena.

“I don’t envision having any problems recruiting,” said Gammie, who will focus primarily on Minnesota and western Canada.

Maine head coach Rick Filighera said, “It’s an awesome situation. You want your assistants to move on to become head coaches and this is one of the prime positions in women’s college hockey.”

He expects her to be an exceptional head coach.

“She’s dedicated, a hard worker and one of the most optimistic people I’ve ever met. She was a perfect assistant coach. She did everything I asked and more,” said Filighera, who will wait until after the season to name a new assistant.

Maine junior center Jarin Sjogren said Gammie “knows her stuff. We’ll all miss her.”

UND Athletic Director Roger Thomas said, “Her college coaching and recruiting experience will be tremendous assets in building our new program.”