Bobcats name Miley Women's Ice Hockey Coach
Paul Smiths N.Y. - Jazmine Miley was recently selected as the Women’s Ice Hockey Coach at Paul Smith’s College. Miley comes to the role as the collegiate women’s head coach from her role as the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Association Director, where she oversaw the preseason and in-season hockey development for men’s Division I & II, women’s, and youth division National Team and National Team Developmental program. Miley also oversaw the tryouts for all levels, oversee coaching development, recruit player for the National Development Program, and consulted with parents regarding in parent/coaching complaints.
Miley’s route towards ice hockey is unique. “I am from Queens, New York, the largest borough in New York City. I was 13 years old when I discovered girls’ hockey. My neighbor invited me to a BBQ and her niece who attended invited me to her game. I instantly fell in love with the sport, kind of like love at first sight. Because I was new, and it was the middle of the season I began skating with the 10U for basic skating. So, you can imagine this big kid skating with these tiny girls skating circles around me. but I was determined to learn.”
Miley continued, “My mom put me in every clinic and summer camp she could find to help build my confidence and skill level. My first team was the Long Island Waves and shortly thereafter I went to the NJ Rockets. I was 14 playing at the 16U Tier 1 level, it took a lot to keep up, but the coach saw my potential and the work ethic I brought with me. During my junior year of high school, I met another girl like me and had the pleasure of playing at tournaments with Kelsey Koelzer.
Being a girl of color and playing hockey was difficult at times when you must deal with closed minded players and referees. I just wanted them to realize that I was no different from the next person who loved hockey. Six years with the NJ Rockets and I managed to get picked up by Finlandia University - a NCAA Division III university and finish my college career at Liberty University, an ACHA Division I university with a National Title in 2019.”
“He who angers you conquers you.” Miley went on to say, “I was told this when I started playing hockey. I would get frustrated because I felt that I was never good enough or I let people get to me because of the skills I lacked since I started playing so late. But I used that quote to help me prevail through every obstacle in hockey and life.”
Miley has served as the head coach nationally as well as internationally for several teams over the past four years, including teams in Norway and Hungary. She is the captain and member of the Puerto Rico Ice Hockey Women’s National Team and is the founder of HPOC Movement, Inc. The Hockey Players Of Color (HPOC) movement focuses on highlighting, promoting and supporting hockey players of color globally and at every level.
Miley is an Ambassador for Women’s Hockey Life, which is an organization that provides an opportunity to empower women and girls in hockey. Upon graduation, she has since played women’s hockey in Europe, in Hungary, Norway, Finland and in France. She played in the Czech Republic Challenger Cup as well as the WWH International Hockey Tournament in Croatia.
LatAm Cup Champions: As the team captain, Miley guided the Puerto Rico's women's team as they defeated Colombia 2-0 in the Latin America Cup in October 2021.
"This has been an amazing experience and now we can show off that Puerto Rico and hockey are a thing," said captain Jazmine Miley, a forward who plays hockey in France. "We're going to the Olympics, baby. We're getting that exposure. We're here to make our mark."
Because of hockey I have been able to play overseas three times and medal. I’ve met different women and learned about their culture and hockey experiences. I was given the honor of a coaching position two weeks after graduating. I am grateful for all these wonderful opportunities and experiences.
I wanted to become an ambassador because of the lack of diversity in women’s hockey. I would love to be the woman that other girls and woman can look up to and connect with. Being able to bring women’s hockey in the spotlight more to all young girls regardless of their socio-economic status.
Paul Smith’s College is excited to have Jazmine Miley on board as the new women’s ice hockey head coach, and to see what she can do in bringing our program forward to another level. With 14 returning players and five incoming players, we expect Jazmine will continue to bring in quality players while working to develop a cohesive team to Paul Smith’s College.
About Paul Smith’s College
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit paulsmiths.edu.