BIDDEFORD, Maine -- University of New England Interim Director of Athletics Curt Smyth announced Tuesday morning (Mar. 13) that Erin Hamlen has been chosen as the head women's ice hockey coach. The Nor'easters will commence play as a varsity program during the 2012-13 academic year.

Hamlen served as an assistant and associate head coach at the University of New Hampshire from 2000 through 2010. During her tenure at UNH, she played an instrumental role in the Wildcats winning four Hockey East Championship titles, as well as six consecutive regular-season titles. UNH also made a pair of Frozen Four appearances during that time -- seasons during which the team won a school-record 33 games in each campaign.

Hamlen has also been involved extensively with USA Hockey, as she was a member of the Under-18 coaching staff for the team that won the United States' first gold medal. She was also part of a silver medal winning squad.

The last two years, Hamlen has served an an advisor and head coach for the Boston Blades, a professional team competing in the Canadian Women's Hockey League.

A highly-accomplished player, Hamlen (formerly Whitten) was a four-year goaltender for UNH from 1989-93. At the time of her graduation, she held records for saves in a game (46), season (511) and career (1,556). Hamlen currently ranks among the Wildcats' all-time leaders in victories, saves, minutes played and shutouts. In 1990 and 1991, she helped lead UNH to ECAC championships, and in 1992 she was selected ECAC Goaltender of the Year.

Hamlen was the starting goaltender for the United States Women's National Ice Hockey Team from 1992-97, and played professionally for four different organizations. In 1993, she became the first Amercian-born woman to record a victory when she led the Toledo Storm to a 6-2 win over the Dayton Bombers.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire. Hamlen and her husband, Tim, reside in Hampton, N.H. with their two young children.

Smyth feels Hamlen is the ideal person to build UNE's women's ice hockey program.

"As a coach and player, Erin has been a part of women's hockey at its highest level," Smyth said. "The level of success she has achieved, coupled with her knowledge and passion for the sport, will lend itself to creating a culture of excellence here at UNE. Erin will be an outstanding role model for our student-athletes."

Hamlen will start her duties at UNE on March 16.