Olivia Cook, the head coach for SUNY Potsdam's NCAA Division III women's hockey team, recently fulfilled a long-held aspiration by serving as a guest coach at the Montreal Canadiens' development camp. The camp, held from June 30 to July 2, provided Cook with a unique opportunity to learn from and contribute to the development of future NHL talent.
Cook, who is of Akwesasne Mohawk heritage and one of the few Indigenous coaches in NCAA hockey, was among a select group of guest coaches. This diverse group included members of the coaching staff from the PWHL champion Montreal Victoire, Yanick Jean of the QMJHL champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens, and retired NHL goalie Mike Condon. Cook expressed her awe at the caliber of her fellow guest coaches, noting it was an honour to be included among them.
During her time at the camp, Cook had a memorable interaction with Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis. St. Louis's comment about being "demanding without being demeaning" resonated deeply with Cook, aligning with her own coaching philosophy and nearly bringing her to tears. The experience was particularly meaningful for Cook, who has been a lifelong fan of the Montreal Canadiens and is from a community located just two hours away from the team's base.
The opportunity to coach at the Canadiens development camp is a significant milestone for Cook, whose own coaching career has seen steady progression, including leading her Potsdam team to its first SUNY Athletic Conference tournament appearance in program history. Her inclusion highlights a growing focus on diversity and inclusivity within hockey, with figures like Cook making impactful contributions to the sport.
