BOSTON – Suffolk women's hockey will be under new leadership in 2023-24 as Director of Athletics Cary McConnell has named Abby Ostrom as the next head coach of the Rams' program.
Ostrom takes over the reins of Suffolk's squad in its sixth varsity season as the second-ever head coach in the Rams' record book. She replaces Taylor Wasylk, who was named head coach at Lindenwood University over the offseason after leading Suffolk to its first Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) crown and NCAA appearance in program history.
Suffolk will serve as Ostrom's first collegiate head coaching gig after working on Boston University's staff in various roles since September 2019, most recently as assistant coach.
"The search committee was very impressed with Abby's vision for the program," McConnell said. "I was specifically excited about her enthusiasm for Suffolk and her excitement and passion for what this challenge holds for her. Her experience at both the Division I and Division III levels have her well positioned to take the Suffolk women's ice hockey program to the next level."
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Director of Athletics Cary (McConnell), Associate Athletic Director Adam Skaggs, and the Suffolk University Athletic Department for trusting me to take over this young, successful program," Ostrom said. "I want to thank Taylor (Wasylk) for her continued guidance throughout this transition, as well as my family, friends, network of mentors and colleagues who supported me throughout this process."
Ostrom continued, "I am extremely excited to join the Suffolk University community as the next head coach of women's hockey. Coach Wasylk did a tremendous job putting the program on the map within the CCC and NCAA by recruiting tremendous student-athletes. I am excited to work with them and take the program to the next level."
Across town at Boston University, Ostrom served as Director of Operations from 2019 before being elevated to assistant coach in 2022. Over four years with the Terriers, she was responsible for all aspects of team video in addition to the day-to-day operations of the program. She helped the development of multiple players including 2023 Hockey East Rookie of the Year Finalist Brooke Disher.
BU was not Ostrom's first stint as an assistant coach in college hockey, as she served in that same role over four seasons at her alma mater, Trinity College from 2015-19. On the Bantam's bench, she worked with a NCAA DIII Statistical Champion Syd Belinskas (2017) and a pair of two All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) honorees.
Ostrom's coaching resume began as the director of men's ice hockey operations and assistant softball coach at Skidmore College in 2014-15. She also gained knowledge as a coaching intern with the USA Hockey National Development Camp in Minnesota for the U-15 and U-18 squads in the summers of 2015 and 2016, respectively, before working as a skills coach for the U-18 group at the 2017 camp.
Additionally, Ostrom graduated from the WeCoach NCAA Women's Coaches academy in the summer of 2019 as part of the 47th class.
A 2014 graduate of Trinity with a bachelor's degree in American studies and a master's in public policy & law, Ostrom was a two-sport star, lettering in hockey and on the softball.
On the ice, the Carlisle, Massachusetts, native totaled 21 goals and 17 assists over 80 games. Her name is etched second in the Trinity record book for game-winning goals (4) in a single season. She helped the Bantams qualify for the NESCAC Women's Ice Hockey Championship Tournament each winter.
On the diamond, Ostrom was an All-New England student-athlete and three-time All-NESCAC player and captained the squad her senior season.