University of New Hampshire Athletics
5/18/2021 2:31:00 PM | General, Women's Ice Hockey
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Kacey Bellamy '09, a four-year standout defenseman on the University of New Hampshire women's ice hockey team, announced her retirement Tuesday following 15 years as a mainstay of the U.S. Women's National Team and leader of Team USA's international success.
In her four-year career at UNH (2006-09), Bellamy amassed 27 goals and 80 assists for 107 points in 143 games. She ranks third on UNH's leaderboard among defensemen in both assists and points – the school benchmark for points is 108. Bellamy ranked third in the nation in defensemen scoring (0.80 points per game) as a senior captain en route to being named to the RBK All-America First Team. Her Hockey East accolades included First Team All-Star, Tournament MVP and All-Tournament Team; she was also honored as UNH's Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year.
"It is extremely hard to find words to describe my career," Bellamy stated in a USA Hockey release. "Being able to represent my country for the past 15 years has been such a privilege. Before every game, I would look at the USA crest before putting the jersey on. It was a moment to remind myself that I represent my country, family, UNH, Berkshire, and hometown."
Bellamy led UNH to four consecutive Hockey East regular season and tournament titles, as well as four straight appearances in the NCAA tournament with two trips to the Frozen Four. She returned to her alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2010-11 season.
Bellamy became the fifth UNH alum to compete on a U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team in the 2010 Olympiad. She also skated for Team USA at the '14 and '18 Olympics and served as alternate captain for the gold medal team in '18; Bellamy wore the 'A" on her sweater for a total of eight U.S. teams.
Bellamy's career with the U.S. Women's National Team began after finishing her freshman campaign at UNH during the 2005-06 season. She was selected as a member of Team USA for the 2006 Four Nations Cup and went on to play in 13 more Four Nations Cups with seven gold medals.
Bellamy also won gold in 7 of 8 IIHF Women's World Championships. She was on the roster of the last two U.S. Women's National Teams, but COVID-19 canceled international competitions in 2020 and postponed them in 2021.
Bellamy played a total of 130 games for the U.S. Women's National Team from 2006-21 with 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points. In the U.S. record book, she ranks first among blueliners in games played, fourth in assists and tied for fourth in points.
UNH head coach Hilary Witt was on the Team USA bench as an assistant coach for the '14 Olympics and three IIHF Women's World Championship teams (2007, 2011, 2013) that Bellamy skated on.
"We couldn't be more proud of everything Kacey's accomplished both at UNH and with the national team," Witt said. "She's had such an amazing career. For someone to play in three Olympics – and in as many world championships that she has – is highly incredible. She's somebody we're very proud of and I've had the privilege to coach and get to know. I can't wait to see what she does next, but we're really, really proud of everything she's accomplished and I wish her the best of luck."
In addition to her time with USA Hockey, Bellamy played 10 seasons of professional hockey, including five with the Boston Blades (2010-15), where she helped the squad capture the Clarkson Cup in 2013. Bellamy also played for the Boston Pride for two seasons and helped the team win the Isobel Cup, then returned to the Canadian Women's Hockey League with the Calgary Inferno, and most recently played in the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.
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In her four-year career at UNH (2006-09), Bellamy amassed 27 goals and 80 assists for 107 points in 143 games. She ranks third on UNH's leaderboard among defensemen in both assists and points – the school benchmark for points is 108. Bellamy ranked third in the nation in defensemen scoring (0.80 points per game) as a senior captain en route to being named to the RBK All-America First Team. Her Hockey East accolades included First Team All-Star, Tournament MVP and All-Tournament Team; she was also honored as UNH's Jim Urquhart Student-Athlete of the Year.
"It is extremely hard to find words to describe my career," Bellamy stated in a USA Hockey release. "Being able to represent my country for the past 15 years has been such a privilege. Before every game, I would look at the USA crest before putting the jersey on. It was a moment to remind myself that I represent my country, family, UNH, Berkshire, and hometown."
Kacey Bellamy Retires From U.S. Women's National Team (click to watch TorchPro video)
Bellamy led UNH to four consecutive Hockey East regular season and tournament titles, as well as four straight appearances in the NCAA tournament with two trips to the Frozen Four. She returned to her alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2010-11 season.
Bellamy became the fifth UNH alum to compete on a U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team in the 2010 Olympiad. She also skated for Team USA at the '14 and '18 Olympics and served as alternate captain for the gold medal team in '18; Bellamy wore the 'A" on her sweater for a total of eight U.S. teams.
Bellamy's career with the U.S. Women's National Team began after finishing her freshman campaign at UNH during the 2005-06 season. She was selected as a member of Team USA for the 2006 Four Nations Cup and went on to play in 13 more Four Nations Cups with seven gold medals.
Bellamy also won gold in 7 of 8 IIHF Women's World Championships. She was on the roster of the last two U.S. Women's National Teams, but COVID-19 canceled international competitions in 2020 and postponed them in 2021.
Bellamy played a total of 130 games for the U.S. Women's National Team from 2006-21 with 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points. In the U.S. record book, she ranks first among blueliners in games played, fourth in assists and tied for fourth in points.
UNH head coach Hilary Witt was on the Team USA bench as an assistant coach for the '14 Olympics and three IIHF Women's World Championship teams (2007, 2011, 2013) that Bellamy skated on.
"We couldn't be more proud of everything Kacey's accomplished both at UNH and with the national team," Witt said. "She's had such an amazing career. For someone to play in three Olympics – and in as many world championships that she has – is highly incredible. She's somebody we're very proud of and I've had the privilege to coach and get to know. I can't wait to see what she does next, but we're really, really proud of everything she's accomplished and I wish her the best of luck."
In addition to her time with USA Hockey, Bellamy played 10 seasons of professional hockey, including five with the Boston Blades (2010-15), where she helped the squad capture the Clarkson Cup in 2013. Bellamy also played for the Boston Pride for two seasons and helped the team win the Isobel Cup, then returned to the Canadian Women's Hockey League with the Calgary Inferno, and most recently played in the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.
READ MORE
Kacey Bellamy Retires From U.S. Women's National Team - USA Hockey
Teammates Recall Bellamy's Leadership, Friendship That Will Be Missed on National Team - USA Hockey
Kacey Bellamy retiring from U.S. women's hockey team after nine world championships - Emily Kaplan, ESPN
Kacey Bellamy, the heart of U.S. hockey, retires after 15 years on national team - Nick Zaccardi, NBC Sports
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