Smith Announces New Staff Additions

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – As the 2025-26 season nears, Syracuse University women's ice hockey head coach Britni Smith has announced Jordan Lipson and Dan Ringwald as assistant coaches.

Lipson joins the Orange after two seasons at Robert Morris University while Ringwald comes to Syracuse after a Hall of Fame career at RIT.

Jordan Lipson - Assistant Coach
"I am honored to accept this position and look forward to contributing to the continued success of the program," Lipson said. "It is a privilege to work alongside two esteemed leaders in the women's hockey community, whose influence over the past three years has profoundly shaped the culture and elevated the standard of excellence within the program. I deeply believe in their vision for the future and am excited to support its growth. The announcement of Britni's selection to represent Team Canada at the upcoming Olympic Games is a testament to the caliber of leadership here and presents exciting new opportunities for our student-athletes and the program as a whole."

A four-time NCAA Division III National Champion, Lipson spent the last two seasons at Robert Morris as an assistant coach, helping the Colonials in all aspects of the program. Helped oversee the recruitment of student-athletes that fit the program's culture and core values. Robert Morris made the AHA/CHA Tournament in each season, including a first-round bye during the 2023-24 season. Off the ice, Lipson spearheaded the Big Sister, Little Sister program, pairing with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program, coordinating Little Sister starters for every regular season home game for the Colonials. Lipson helped pursue and coordinate the team's community service events as well.

No stranger to the AHA, Lipson was an assistant coach at Lindenwood University for the 2022-23 season and was later tabbed as the interim head coach for Spring 2023. During that year, Lipson oversaw and developed the defense and goaltender units both on and off the ice, creating scout sheets, while coordinating team travel, helping maintain the budget, and creating and facilitating an environment for student-athlete mental well-being.

Lipson broke into coaching at the NCAA level at Williams College, helping lead the Ephs to their second-ever NESCAC Championship. Lipson helped develop practice plans, game strategies, all while Williams went 55-31-14 in between 2017-2022.

As a student-athlete at SUNY Plattsburgh, Lipson played in 115 games for the Cardinals, racking 45 goals and 58 assists for 103 points. Lipson tallied 17 power play goals, including 15 across her junior and senior seasons. Her 10 power play goals in 2015-16 ranked second in Division III that season. During her four seasons in Plattsburgh, the Cardinals won 111 games, suffering just five losses and enduring four ties. Lipson was a member of four National Championship teams, a feat accomplished by just six student-athletes in NCAA women's ice hockey history.

Hailing from Davis, California, Lipson earned a bachelor's degree in history from SUNY Plattsburgh, with minors in coaching and political science. She later earned a master's degree in coaching and athletics administration from Concordia University of Irvine.

"Jordan is no stranger to success at the collegiate level, bringing with her a championship pedigree as both a player and a coach," said Smith. "Her passion for player development, ability to build strong relationships, and dedication to creating a positive student-athlete experience make her an ideal fit for our program. With her experience across the NCAA landscape—and specifically within the AHA—we're confident she'll transition seamlessly and make an immediate impact. I'm thrilled to welcome Jordan to our program and into our ichuSe culture."

Dan Ringwald - Assistant Coach
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to join the Orange" said Ringwald. "It's a marquee university with tremendous history and community support. There's lots to be excited about with our players, staff, and facilities. I look forward to enhancing the talent and mentality of each player, and the team as a whole."

A Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Athletics Hall of Famer, Ringwald brings coaching and playing experience at all levels. Ringwald played professionally from 2010 until May 2015, suiting up for Bad Nauheim Rote Teufel in the DEL2, the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL and the Stockton Thunder in the ECHL. Ringwald also reviewed game footage for the Edmonton Oilers Player Development Program and was a player representative for the Professional Hockey Players' Association.

Since 2015, Ringwald has been an account executive for Midmarket and Enterprise B2B Solutions, working with Aidium, ADP, Capital One, and Pyramid Management.

A four-year member of the RIT men's ice hockey program, Ringwald twice served as a team captain. He played in 145 games during his collegiate career, scoring 21 goals and 104 assists, an RIT Division I team record. A three-time Atlantic Hockey Association First team selection, he was named as the league's Best Defenseman in 2010. That season, RIT captured the AHA regular season and postseason championships and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four. The Tigers went 91-48-1 during his career. A second-team USCHO.com Second Team pick, Ringwald won RIT's Dan Barrows Fan's Choice, Art Thomas Teammate, and Tim Dorcik Best Defenseman Awards.
"I'm excited to announce the addition of Dan to our program as an assistant coach," said Syracuse head coach Britni Smith. "His passion for the game is both strong and contagious, and when you combine that with his collegiate and professional playing experience, he'll be a tremendous asset to our player development this season. I'm confident Dan will play an integral role in the continued growth of our program, and we're thrilled to welcome him and his family."

Syracuse University Athletics

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