Scott Spencer is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Lindenwood women’s ice hockey program in 2018-19. He has been a hockey coach for the last 15 years, including the last 12 in women’s hockey.
In 2017-18, Spencer led the Lions to a 10-20-1 overall record while going 8-12-0 in conference play. The eight wins in CHA games were the most in program history, while the 10 wins on the year matched the most for the program in the NCAA-era.
The Lions placed three players on the all-CHA team in 2017-18. Sierra Burt was named to the all-rookie team, while Jolene deBruyn and Taylor Girard were first-team all-conference performers. Burt totaled six goals and four assists against CHA opponents, giving her the fifth-highest point total among conference freshman during CHA play.
Against CHA opponents, deBruyn ranked third in the conference with a .938 save percentage. Jolene had a 2.50 goals against average and posted three shutouts. Girard led the squad with 13 goals and 24 points, while ranking fourth in the CHA with a 1.00 point per game average.
The 2016-17 season was highlighted by the program advancing to the CHA semifinals for the first time. Spencer led the Lady Lions to a 3-2 first-round win over Mercyhurst in the CHA Tournament. Lindenwood also defeated two nationally-ranked opponents during the year, with a 4-1 win over No. 10 North Dakota and a 2-1 road win at No. 7 Robert Morris.
Courtney Ganske was named to the all-rookie team. Twenty-three of the program’s 24 players earned the CHA Academic award.
In his first two seasons, Spencer played a key role in the development of Nicole Hensley. After her senior season, Hensley earned the NCAA Top 10 award, given to the top 10 student-athletes in any sport and division for the 2015-16 school year. Hensley was the first CHA player to receive the award and fifth recipient from the sport of women’s hockey. Hensley, the first Division I player with over 4,000 career saves, has won two gold medals for Team USA at the World Championships, won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics. In the summer of 2018, Hensley signed a contract with the Buffalo Beauts in the NWHL.
In 2015-16, the Lady Lions recorded nine wins. That total included a 4-2 win over nationally-ranked Northeastern, marking the first time Lindenwood defeated a team that would go on and compete in the NCAA Division I National Tournament. The Lady Lions won six road games and also won a game for the first time in the CHA Tournament.
Lindenwood continued to improve defensively, allowing a school record 2.57 GAA, 0.87 lower than before Spencer arrived at Lindenwood. The team also allowed under 30 shots a game for the first time in program history. Offensively, the team scored 64 goals, a new program record against NCAA Division I competition.
Two Lady Lions were named first-team all-CHA in Hensley and Shara Jasper, and Shannon Morris-Reade was an all-rookie selection. Academically, 17 players earned CHA Academic Honors. Hensley was also named a first-team Academic All-American.
In his first year in charge of the program in 2014-15, the Lady Lions had the best season in their short NCAA history. Lindenwood reached double-figure wins for the first time, picked up at least one win over every CHA program, and had a win over three WCHA programs, including nationally-ranked Bemidji State. Lindenwood became a tough team to beat at the Lindenwood Ice Arena, winning more games than its first three seasons combined.
Under Spencer, Lindenwood’s offense had its highest goals per game total against NCAA Division I competition. On defense, the Lady Lions’ GAA was 0.41 lower than the previous season, and they allowed nearly 10 shots a game fewer than 2013-14.
Spencer helped two players earn first-team all-conference honors in Hensley and Jasper. Hensley also earned Academic All-American honors, and was one of 16 players to earn CHA Academic honors.
Prior to coming to Lindenwood, Spencer was the Director of Female Hockey and Female Midget Head Coach at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, British Columbia for two years. Pursuit of Excellence is one of North America’s premiere hockey academies and Spencer oversaw all facets of the women’s program, as well coaching both under-19 AAA hockey teams.
His Pursuit of Excellence teams had success on the ice, including being a bronze medalist at the 2013 World Sport School National Championships and a silver medalist at the 2014 World Sport School National Championships. Seven players at Pursuit of Excellence became under-18 national team members, and 100 percent of his graduates moved on to play college hockey. His teams had an overall record of 77-38-20 in his two seasons at Pursuit of Excellence.
In 2011-12, Spencer was an assistant coach at Ohio State University. He helped the Buckeyes go 16-16-4 that season, an improvement by several wins over the last season. Among the players he coached that season included Natalie Spooner, an All-American and finalist for the Patty Kazmaier National Player of the Year Award.
Spencer was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University from 2006-2011, including being the Associate Head Coach in 2010-11. He coached seven all-conference players, two conference Rookie of the Year award winners, and one rookie All-American. Spencer was the head recruiting coordinator for the Colonials, including having a hand in recruiting every member of the team that won the 2012 CHA Tournament Championship.
Spencer was an assistant coach in men’s hockey for three seasons at Bemidji State from 2003-2006. He helped the Beavers win two CHA regular season championships, two CHA tournament championships, and two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances. He coached two players that went on and played in the NHL. Also in that span, he was an assistant coach for the Junior A North Iowa Outlaws of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for one season.
Spencer’s student-athletes have also had success off of the ice. While at Pursuit of Excellence, 100 percent of his players made the school’s honor roll. His women’s programs have all had a team GPA of 3.20 or higher, and over 100 players have earned academic all-conference honors. His women’s players also have a 100 percent graduation rate within one year of finishing their playing careers.
Spencer played collegiately at the ACHA Division I level for Minot State. He was a four-year letterwinner and helped the team make three national tournaments. Minot State finished in the top-10 nationally three times, including coming in third in 2001-02. He was a team captain and earned the Player’s Player Award in 2000-01 for his work ethic and putting the team first. Spencer received honorable mention honors at the 2002 ACHA National Tournament.
Spencer received a Bachelor of Science degree from Minot State in 2002 in Physical Education, with a minor in Coaching. He earned his Master’s in Sports Studies from Bemidji State in 2012.
Scott Spencer's Year-by-Year Coaching Record
| Year |
School |
Overall |
Conf. |
Notes |
| 2014-15 |
Lindenwood |
10-21-2 |
7-11-2 |
Most wins in program history |
| 2015-16 |
Lindenwood |
9-24-4 |
5-11-4 |
Recorded a win over a NCAA Tournament Team |
| 2016-17 |
Lindenwood |
6-25-2 |
3-16-1 |
First CHA Semifinal Appearance |
|
Career |
25-70-8 |
15-38-1 |
