FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Middle Tennessee girls hockey coach is now playing in the only women's professional hockey league in the country.
Allie LaCombe signed a contract with the Connecticut Whale hockey team.
"I'm happiest on the ice, I can't lie about that," LaCombe said.
LaCombe coaches girls hockey for the Nashville Junior Predators. She is also the general manager at The Hockey Lab in Franklin. But now on weekends she'll be traveling with her new team.
"It's a balancing act with the rink, playing and coaching... I'm just happy to be able to play still and do it," she said.
SIGNING NEWS: The @CTWhale_NWHL have signed Allie LaCombe of @CuseIce for the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
— NWHL (@NWHL) February 19, 2020
📸: @KateFresePhoto pic.twitter.com/MUqBZRRVpV
At 26 years old, LaCombe is an experienced coach and that was attractive to recruiters.
"All of the coaching and conditioning really translated well. I'm on the ice 20-25 hours a week. It pays off with stick handling, shooting and game-like awareness," she said. "I'm very vocal and energetic so it was easy to fit in right away."
LaCombe plans to keep coaching and running The Lab. She is excited to show her players that hockey can be anyone's game.
