April 3, 2017
Liz Keady Norton
Professional Journey
Liz is currently the Assistant Coach of the Harvard University Women’s Ice Hockey team. Liz also works as a Skills Coach for USA Hockey Girls’ Development Camps, coaching some of the best U15/U18 women in the country. These camps are a direct pipeline to the U20 National Team and U.S. National Team.
Although a Division I coach for four years, Liz has spent a lifetime in women’s hockey. On the coaching side, prior to Harvard, Liz coached at Union College, Andover High School, and the North Shore Vipers Program. Additionally, Liz was the Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Andover High School. A terrific coach and communicator, Liz has been a sought after private skills coach and power skating instructor for the last decade.
Liz’s success off the ice as a coach can be traced to her phenomenal on-ice career:
- Member of the Boston Blaze of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League – 2008/2009
- Member of and trained with U.S. National Women’s Ice Hockey Team – 2004/2005 and 2008/2009
- Participated in the U.S. National Team’s Pre-Olympic Tour – Summer 2005
- Played in the 2004 Four Nation’s Cup, which features the U.S. versus Canada, Finland, and Sweden
- All ECAC, Ivy League First Team selection, 3-time MVP, and Senior Year Captain of the Princeton Women’s Ice Hockey Team
- Won four national championships with her Assabet Valley Girls Hockey Club team, which boasts the largest number of Division I and Olympic players to come out of any all-girls program
- All ISL and All-Scholastic in soccer, hockey and track at Milton Academy, where she still holds many school records
Liz is able to provide IPF parents and their hockey-loving kids with invaluable insight into how to evaluate your game, design a plan to improve, and make the move to varsity, the collegiate level, and beyond.
Liz also knows very well what it’s like to be an IPF athlete since she has been working out with Walter for almost 15 years both at IPF and Mike Boyle’s Strength & Conditioning. In addition to training with talented male and female college players, she has trained extensively with NHL athletes including All-Stars and Olympians.
When Liz transitioned from playing to coaching, she became a very popular coach at IPF. She worked with athletes individually, led groups, and was the first General Manager at IPF. Liz is always available to consult with parents and athletes regarding the process of recruitment, physical improvement, skill development, and the mental side of hockey.
Liz is USA Hockey Certified for Coaching.
Personal Journey
Clearly Liz has a passion for ice hockey, but she was also a standout athlete in soccer, track and, though a late bloomer to lacrosse, ended up playing varsity in that sport as well. It’s not just her athleticism that sets her apart, though. In 2008, Liz was the recipient of the Sarah Nevins Award, which is given to one female athlete nationwide every year for demonstrating the highest level of dedication and leadership to sports.
“At IPF, I recognize that I am a role model, especially for the younger female athletes. I am able to communicate to them that it’s about the process, not where they are now, and to share with them that my success isn’t all based on natural talent. I really beat the odds making the national team and playing hockey at Princeton, and I truly believe it’s because the IPF process worked for me.”
Liz relates to IPF’s young athletes because she has been through exactly what they are up against. “With my background in Division I hockey, I see what it takes to get to that level and to be successful when you do. I will do anything I can to help guide an athlete down the right path. Athletes not only need to make a full commitment to the process at IPF, but outside of here, they will need to commit to better nutritional habits, improved sleep and recovery, and a focus on academics. They really need to be all in if they want to ‘make it’.”
Having had setbacks, herself, makes Liz an even more important resource for IPF athletes to be able to turn to. “Younger kids are always so focused on the end goal that they end up thinking it’s success or failure, black or white. I like to help them see the positive in failing; if it was easy, then everyone would be doing it. I believe there is a lot of value in working hard at something regardless of the result.”
Transitioning from athlete to coach has given Liz an opportunity to share not just hockey lessons with others, but life lessons. “Hockey, and training in general, are great ways to teach people about having a work ethic, setting goals for personal development, and, for a lot of younger kids, building mental toughness and confidence. I love being able to reach athletes on another level that translates to the rest of their life for the rest of their life.”
Liz and Walter live in North Andover with their family and four dogs, Magnus, Abe, Lyken and Lucious, who also love to hang out at IPF!
