University of Connecticut Athletics
Ainsley Svetek Named Assistant Women's Hockey Coach
1/14/2026 4:01:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – UConn women's hockey head coach Chris MacKenzie has announced the addition of Ainsley Svetek to the coaching staff as an assistant coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
"We are excited to have Ainsley back with our program," said head coach Chris MacKenzie. "She understands the demands and challenges of our student athletes."
Svetek returns to her alma mater after playing for the Huskies from 2019-2024, appearing in 144 career games under head coach Chris MacKenzie. Svetek anchored the Huskies blue line as a defender, totaling 29 career points on 6 goals and 23 assists. She led the Huskies in blocked shots her senior and graduate seasons, finishing her career with 157 blocked shots.Svetek concluded her UConn career with a +27 in plus/minus, the 4th best mark under coach MacKenzie.
Serving as a team captain in 2023-24, Svetek helped lead UConn to an historic season, highlighted by the program's first ever Hockey East Tournament Championship, and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the first in the program's 25-year history. A consistent leader on and off the ice, Svetek was also a two-time recipient of the Pat Babcock Award (2022-23, 2023-24), which is presented to the player who best exemplifies the program both on and off the ice.
"I could not be more thrilled to be a part of UConn Women's Ice Hockey again," said Svetek. "I am excited for the opportunity to help the team finish out the rest of the season!"
Svetek earned a bachelor's and master's degree in Biomedical Engineering at UConn. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Kinesiology.
Prior to her time at UConn, Svetek was a multi-sport athlete and four-year honor roll student at King's Christian Collegiate in Oakville, Ontario. She was a five-year member of the Stoney Creek Sabres Hockey Association. Svetek played for Team Ontario in the 2019 Canada Winter Games, placing fourth in Canada. She is a native of Burlington, Ontario.
