Chaislyn Burgio arrived as one of just four players on Merrimack College’s Div. 1 women’s hockey team in 2014. Three teams and four years later, she has found a home as the assistant coach to head coach Diane Dillon at Oswego State. Burgio was one of the first recruits landed for Merrimack’s new hockey team, a five-year letterwinner at Thayer Academy in Massachusetts as a goalie. There were only four players on the team’s roster in 2014, with three coaches.

“It was a unique situation,” Burgio said. “My freshman year, I had three teammates. We were practicing five days a week with the coaching staff, so there were small, intimate coaching sessions on the ice. It was nice because I got the feel for the college experience in terms of how am I going to handle the classroom and being an athlete, but I didn’t have to travel, so that was nice.”

The traveling would begin next season, when Burgio played four games for the Warriors, posting a .861 save percentage and making 93 saves, including a career-high 33 saves against hockey powerhouse Boston University in her home state. However, after her sophomore year, Burgio decided it was time for a new challenge and enrolled at UMass-Boston to continue her athletics and education.

“Transferring to UMass-Boston was a little different,” Burgio said. “I went there strictly because of what I wanted to major in and the grad program that I planned on going into, and it was a different level of hockey.”

It was not just hockey, though. Burgio was a two-sport athlete, also playing outfield for the Beacon’s softball team. She graduated from UMass-Boston with a bachelor’s in psychology after finishing her final two years.

“I was closer to home. I got to play softball. It was a different experience,” Burgio said. “Overall, I’m pretty happy with my experience as a student-athlete, and it’s helped me having gone through the steps and going through what they’re going through.”

After graduating, it was off to Adrian College. Burgio was the head coach of the ACHA Div. II women’s hockey team and the assistant coach of the women’s Div. I hockey team. In fall of 2018, upstate New York was next, where Burgio was named the assistant coach for the Oswego State women’s hockey program.

“I was welcomed by everyone immediately,” Burgio said. “Coach Dillon was great right off the bat, and the girls were really welcoming. There were about 10 new freshmen on the team, so I felt like I was going through the process with them being new, being the rookie here.”

Dillon said that, when looking for an assistant coach, there are a few boxes to check.

“We’re looking for all kinds of things,” Dillon said. “This is a school with a strong hockey program, so we’re looking for people that love the game.”

Burgio fit this description to a T. It also helped that her expertise came in between the pipes.

“We had four goaltenders on the roster coming in, so I knew it’d be helpful to have a goaltending coach or someone with goaltending experience, and that’s what Chaislyn brings to the table,” Dillon said.

Burgio’s responsibilities with the goaltenders has been noticed both by Dillon and by the players themselves.

“Being a forward myself back in the day, I know how valuable defense and goaltending is,” Dillon said. “A team can play lighter if you are confident in the person between the pipes, and I think having a goaltending coach helps not only them, but it travels up through the team.”

Burgio has brought her skills to the table to arguably the toughest position in hockey. Goaltenders are oftentimes blamed when things go south and not given enough credit when things are going well.

“Aside from teaching them technical things like movements, I hope to teach them how to prepare mentally,” Burgio said. “If they’re pulled from a game, I’m going to be there to talk to them and calm them down when I can.”

Burgio also has helped the Lakers’ goaltenders in private sessions, where she helps them work on things they may be uncomfortable with. Oswego State goalie Rachael Farmer mentioned those sessions.

“Coach Burgio helped me feel more comfortable playing the puck. She goes out of her way for us a lot,” Farmer said. “She does goalie sessions with us, and she makes them a lot of fun.”

The Lakers have had an unbelievable season in net. They have collectively posted a .939 save percentage and a 1.90 GAA. But helping the goaltenders is not the only major role Burgio has with the team.

“She’s been our main recruiter, and since we’re in season, she’s been the one on the road and running up and down the Thruway,” Dillon said.

Recruiting is a key part of any college team, and the many hours in the ice arena and the long drives can easily take their toll on a coach. But Burgio said she has enjoyed it so far.

“It’s a lot of driving, that’s for sure, but I like driving,” Burgio said. “It’s a lot of standing in the rink, so hopefully, you’re bundled up and warm, and a lot of hockey to watch. It’s great. It’s like a puzzle you’re trying to piece together to build a team.”

When she is not on the road, Burgio has had a warm welcome in this upstate New York town.

“I feel right at home here, and the hockey aspect has been great,” she said.

Photo by Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian