Once skating across the ice at the Nicholas Athletic Center wearing blue and gold, Jori Balsam ’19 has returned to the Upper School (US) as the Girls’ Varsity Hockey (GVH) coach. Former GVH Coach Ed Bourget ’96 has transitioned to the Director of Ice Hockey, overseeing GVH and Boys’ Varsity Hockey, as Coach Balsam steps into her new role.
Coach Bourget assisted with hiring Coach Balsam. She values a strong team culture, he said.
“Since Jori played here, she understands the demands that the student-athletes face on a daily basis. The main benefit the team will receive from this coaching change is the ability to connect more deeply on a personal level with Coach Balsam. It is exciting to have a young female coach mentoring these elite athletes.”
After graduating from the US, Coach Balsam played ice hockey at Wesleyan University. In 2023, she began her coaching career at St. George’s School as the interim head coach and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in education at Boston College.
“I’m honored to return to BB&N in this role to lead a team I was a part of not too long ago,” Coach Balsam said. “I have developed a real passion for coaching, and there is no other place I would want to take the next step in my coaching career.”
Coach Balsam aims to create an environment with a strong work ethic and a love for the game.
“I hope to develop players to their fullest potential as both hockey players and people,” she said. “It’s important to me to foster an environment where my players feel motivated, valued and inspired to bring their all day in and day out. I love coming to the rink every day and competing at a high level while enforcing strong and lasting bonds with teammates and my players.”
Coach Balsam also wants to continue GVH’s success. Last year, the team won the Independent School League Championship. The previous year, GVH won the Patsy Odden Large School Tournament.
“In the short term, I would like to get to know the players and develop a strong team culture,” she said. “I want to establish strong bonds off the ice that will contribute to our success on the ice. Long-term, I want to win championships, develop effective leaders and help players reach their goals. ”
Coming off a 15-7-2 season record, GVH players learned about the coaching change in April. Forward Kate Tregay ’28 said she was not expecting the news.
“When I first heard about the change in coaches, I was really surprised, but I am really excited to see what we can do this year with a shift in coaching.”
Coach Balsam’s arrival coincides with 11 seniors graduating in June, six of whom were captains. Because of the coaching change, the new captains have not been announced.
“This has been the first time that we have not known who the captains are heading into the summer and the start of the school,” Kate said.
Coach Balsam has reached out to GVH players through meetings and emails. Goalie Barbara Ma ’27 met Coach Balsam in person.
“Coach Balsam is very organized, confident and passionate about building a strong team culture, hopefully helping GVH become closer as a team,” she said. “I’m very excited to work with her this upcoming season.”
