BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – LIU head women's ice hockey coach Rob Morgan announced the addition of Erica Kromm to his staff Wednesday. Kromm, a Long Island native, joins the program as an assistant coach after a nine-year professional playing career in Canada and several coaching stints.

"We are incredibly excited to have Erica join our coaching staff," Morgan said. "Erica brings a wealth of experience to our young hockey program. She has always been looked upon for her leadership and solid team play at the NCAA and professional level. Erica has learned from many great coaches over the years, and has positively impacted all programs she's been affiliated with. She is going to be a great mentor, teacher, leader and coach for our student athletes. With the addition of Coach Kromm, our team got better today."

Kromm comes to LIU from Mount Royal University in the Canadian U Sports Division, where she spent two seasons as an assistant coach, in addition to working full-time and playing professionally.

"I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to work with LIU's female hockey players and coaching staff," Kromm said. "Being a Long Island native, LIU is a natural fit and already feels like home. I'm looking forward to helping build upon the teams' recent success, and to continue making waves at the Division I level."

Kromm played professionally with the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL, and later as a member of the PWHPA. With the Inferno, Kromm played both defense and forward throughout her career. A two-time Clarkson Cup Champion ('16 and '18), she served as team captain in 2017-2018, and assistant captain from 2013-2015. Kromm finished her nine-year professional career playing in 179 games, collecting 13 goals and 24 assists.

Kromm also played for four seasons at Brown University, under legendary head coach Digit Murphy. A team captain her senior year, she earned many accolades over the course of her college career including All-Ivy Honorable Mention, the Pride and Perseverance Award, and the Panda Cup (awarded by the coaches to a player who demonstrates leadership and determination). Kromm finished her collegiate career playing in 115 games, collecting 16 goals and 26 assists.

As a coach, she has spent time at the highly regarded North American Hockey Academy where she helped prepare elite U-18 prospective student athletes for their college careers, and most recently at Mount Royal.

In her first regular season as assistant coach, MRU broke eight separate records for the first time in program history, including most goals ever scored in a season. Kromm helped lead MRU to a second-round playoff win, and a Canada West Silver Medal that helped the team claim a berth in the U Sports National Championships.

Kromm is a third-generation hockey coach. Her grandfather, Bobby Kromm, had a professional coaching career that spanned over 17 years. He was a player-coach for the Trail Smoke Eaters when they won the 1961 World Hockey Championship, and spent three seasons in the NHL as the head coach for the Detroit Red Wings. Kromm's father, Richard, was a professional hockey player for 10 seasons, including for the NHL's Calgary Flames and New York Islanders. Richard, who has also coached and served in various leadership positions at the major junior and professional level, is currently a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks.
 
Kromm graduated from Brown University in 2011, with a degree in the fields of Commerce, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship, specializing in Sociology and European Medieval History.
 
Members of the Women's Hockey Community on Kromm:
Digit Murphy, President of the Toronto Six NWHL/former Coach at Brown University
"Erica has always been a great student of the game and leader amongst her peers. I look fondly upon her years at Brown and how she has grown to be among the best coaches of her generation. Being part of a great hockey lineage, the game is in her blood and she will no doubt add amazing contributions to the LIU program."
 
Tomas Pacina, Head Coach of Czech Women's National Team & Former Head Coach of Calgary Inferno CWHL
"Erica has the desire to work hard and the toughness to survive and to do whatever it takes to succeed. Her hockey knowledge has always been deep, as she's played so many different positions always with the best intentions for the team. You can never ever go wrong with hiring Erica, in fact I am jealous, I would love to hire her myself."
 
Scott Rivett, Head Coach - Mount Royal University Cougars
"Erica's personality and attitude are infectious and she just draws people in to her. She is a natural leader. Erica is an incredible person and would be an asset to any team."
 
Heather Reinke, former Brown University Coach
"Erica is one of the best people I have had the pleasure of coaching. Her hockey IQ is very high so she will exceed your expectations on on/off ice instruction, video breakdown, scouting opponents and identifying prospects. Hockey has been part of Erica's life since she was born. One of her best characteristics is her personality and passion to develop people around her. This is evident in her leadership and being able to connect with all people."