Sept. 20, 2007

Detroit, Mich. - Allison Rutledge has been named assistant coach of the Wayne State women's hockey team announced by head coach Jim Fetter. Rutledge, a former standout goaltender at Niagara University, brings a wealth of experience to the Warriors.

"We are very happy to have Allison joining our program," said Fetter. "She was a talented player who has a great knowledge of the game and has been involved in various leadership roles. These characteristics will transcend to our team and help the players achieve their goals on and off the ice."

During her career at Niagara, Rutledge was a four-year letterwinner, two-time team captain and finished as the program's all-time leader in saves with 3,405 which ranks second in NCAA history. She also earned College Hockey America (CHA) All-Academic honors three times. As a senior, she was named Second Team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). She also was a CHA First Team selection and named CHA Student-Athlete of the Year. During her junior campaign in 2005-06, Rutledge set the single-season Niagara save record with 1,103 and was also named to the CHA First Team and All-Tournament Team. Rutledge also made the CHA All-Rookie team as a freshman in 2003-04.

Rutledge trained with the Canadian National Team development and selection camp in 2006 and coached at several hockey camps including, Future Pro, Be A Pro and Netminder's goaltending schools.

She has also been a tutor as part of the 21st Century After-School Program at LaSalle Middle School and worked towards completing her New York state certification in Social Studies (grades 7-12) as a student-teacher in the fall of 2006.

A native of London, Ont., Rutledge earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from Niagara in 2007.