Milica McMillen

Former New York Riveters defender, Milica McMillen, was named as an assistant coach for the Ohio State University women’s hockey team on Thursday.

Buckeyes head coach, Nadine Muzerall said, “Ohio State women’s hockey team welcomes Milica McMillen to our family. Her success as a player and knowledge of the game will transition very well for what our players need. She has had great experiences with training hockey players to enhance their skill development. But more importantly, she has the right character and values that we are developing here at Ohio State with our culture. I am excited to see the growth within our players both on and off the ice with Milica by our side.”

The All-American and All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association honoree for the University of Minnesota brings a load of playing experience to the Buckeyes staff. In 149 games with the Golden Gophers, she put up 44 goals and 76 assists while protecting the blueline. Her 120 points rank her fourth amongst all-time Minnesota defenseman and those 44 goals are second all-time.

McMillen is in the Top 10 in Gophers history among defenders in goals, assists, points and power play goals. She represented the school in the National Collegiate Athletic Association national championship game in all four seasons, helping the Golden Gophers capture the National Title in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

Following her career at Minnesota, where she was named All-WCHA in her three final years, was an All-WCHA Rookie Team selection and Second-Team All-American in her sophomore year, McMillen signed on with the Riveters. In 18 games in Newark, New Jersey, she scored three goals and six assists while defending the blueline for New York.

She also blocked 17 shots while helping the Rivs to a second-place finish, with a record of 8-7-3. Ohio State will hope that McMillen can help Muzerall turn the Buckeyes around after last season’s record of 14-18-5, as they fell to North Dakota in the opening round of the WCHA Playoffs.