White Steps Down as Stingers Coach

By Alan Hudes

The women’s hockey team will have a new face behind the bench next season.

Lisa Jordan was named Friday as the new head coach of Ryerson’s women’s hockey program, after a highly-successful 14-year stint with St. Mary’s University on Friday. Under Jordan’s watch, the Huskies reached the Atlantic University Sport championship eight times, winning four titles in the process. Jordan also has a wealth of experience at the national level, coaching Team Canada to a gold medal on several occasions over the last six years.

“Her record speaks for itself,” said Dr. Ivan Joseph, Ryerson’s Athletics Director. “She’s going to add tremendous value not only to our women’s hockey team but also to our department as well … she’s a bona-fide coach that has national-team and International experience and most importantly, a coach who knows how to win at the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) level.”

Jordan’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the women’s hockey program at Ryerson. The team is set to gain full varsity status in the fall, and compete in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) at Maple Leaf Gardens.

When St. Mary’s’ cancelled their women’s hockey team two weeks ago, before being reinstated, the opportunity arose to add Jordan to the coaching staff in time for the team’s OUA debut. Next season, Jordan will work alongside a familiar face in the current head coach, Stephanie White, who will remain as associate coach of the team. The two have coached together in the past for Hockey Canada, and after the news at St. Mary’s broke, White was quick to recommend her colleague.

“I spoke to her and (Joseph), and from there I left it to those two to work the details out,” said White. “Once I knew she was unemployed, I though ‘wow what a great opportunity’…why not bring in a coach who I believe is one of the best coaches in North America in female hockey? To me, that’s building a program”

With Jordan at the helm, White will be able to concentrate more on her other position as Ryerson’s Manager of Marketing for Athletics, one that now demands more time with the opening and operation of Maple Leaf Gardens.

The team enters the playoffs this weekend, after posting an undefeated record of 21-0-3 record, looking to bring to home the title.

File photo.