Women’s Ice Hockey Associate Head Coach Makenna Newkirk Joins 2027 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team StaffWomen’s Ice Hockey Associate Head Coach Makenna Newkirk Joins 2027 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team Staff

Women’s Ice Hockey Associate Head Coach Makenna Newkirk Joins 2027 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team Staff

Newkirk will be making her international coaching debut as an assistant coach during the 2027 Under-18 Women’s World Championship in Czechia from January 3-11

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Penn State women’s ice hockey associate head coach Makenna Newkirk will be an assistant coach for the 2027 United State Under-18 Women’s National Team per a USA Hockey announcement on Friday afternoon. 

Newkirk will be making her international coaching debut as the United States looks to win back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. The 2027 iteration of the event will take place in Czechia from January 3-11. 

Despite being new to coaching for the red, white and blue, she is no stranger to representing her country. The Scottsdale, Arizona native and former Boston College captain played for USA Hockey on the U22 National Team, was an invitee to the Olympic Tryouts for the 2018 Pyeongyang Winter Games and attended three National Team Festivals. 

Joining Newkirk on the coach staff will be head coach Courtney Kennedy (Merrimack), assistant coaches Chris Bailey and Greg ‘Boom’ May (Minnesota), goaltending coach Mackenzie Bruch (Minnesota State) and video coach Bryce Aldrich. 

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Newkirk recently completed her first season as associate head coach after joining the Penn State staff as an assistant coach for the 2022-23 season. 

In her four years with the Nittany Lions, Newkirk has helped lead the Blue & White to the program’s first Frozen Four this past season, four AHA Regular Season and Tournament Championships and a program-record 33 victories during the 2025-26 campaign.  

The Penn State offense has been especially effective under Newkirk’s guidance. This past season, the Nittany Lions set single-season records with 165 goals, 252 assists, 417 points and 34 powerplay goals. 

Newkirk’s mentorship of Tessa Janecke helped Penn State’s captain become the most decorated player in program history. Penn State’s all-time leading scorer became the program’s first Top-Three Finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award and CCM/AHCA First Team All-American last season. She was also a three-time Top-10 Finalist for the Patty Kaz, three-time AHA Player and Forward of the Year and 2022-23 CHA Rookie of the Year.

Newkirk also helped mentor Grace Outwater, who shined in her sophomore season, earning the distinction of AHA Scoring Champion with 31 points in conference play. She finished the season with 40 points on 24 goals and 16 assists.  

Other forwards who benefitted from Newkirk’s tutelage include All-AHA selections Maddy Christian, Katelyn Roberts and Mikah Keller. 

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