MARBLEHEAD — The Marblehead girls ice hockey team is under new direction with first-year head coach Hadley Woodfin taking over the program. Woodfin, a Marblehead graduate (Class of 2016), said she is “really excited” about the upcoming season.

Woodfin knew ever since she was young that coaching was in her future.

“Sports have always been a main component of my life so I always knew I wanted to coach one day,” Woodfin said. “I knew I always wanted to coach locally within the North Shore area so when the opportunity presented itself to coach my old team, I just knew I had to go for it.”

As a former Lady Header, Woodfin knows the importance of team chemistry on and off the ice.

“As a former player I feel like this means a lot more to me to give to the program and the team,” Woodfin said. “I want to focus on building strong relationships and a strong sense of community. Some of my best friends today were my linemates and teammates. I want to bring my experience and passion to the team and make it a team that is really connected on and off the ice.”

Woodfin, a health teacher at Swampscott, admitted to caring a lot about mental health and making sure her players feel supported.

“My philosophy is being a role model and a leader. I want to be someone the girls can look up to and help make a positive impact on their life,” Woodfin said. “Whether it’s me doing drills with them on the ice or working with them off the ice, I want them to be well-rounded citizens as well.”

Despite this being Woodfin’s first varsity coaching job, she brings plenty of experience as a varsity assistant coach and JV head coach for Swampscott field hockey. Woodfin credits Swampscott field hockey coach Courtney Russo for helping her become a better coach and learning from her over the years being her assistant coach.

This past Monday was the first day the team was allowed on the ice and Woodfin said the first week went “great.”

“We have a lot of numbers which I’m excited about,” Woodfin said. “We have a lot of strong returning players in addition to some new faces to the program which I’m excited to see and work with.”

Some returners Woodfin highlighted were Ava Schultz, Paige Waldman, and Sam Demady.

“Senior captain Ava Shultz is our only named captain so far. She is a quiet leader with great skating ability. I think she’s going to be one of our strong forces on the ice,” Woodfin said. “Also Paige Waldman and Sam Demady are returning who are strong skaters.”

Woodfin said the team has a few middle schoolers on the team that she is looking forward to coaching and helping them realize their potential.

Regarding team goals, Woodfin said one of the goals she has for the team is to make the state tournament.

“The first day I met the girls I had them write down a personal goal and a team goal,” Woodfin said. “I told them that my team goal is to strive to make the postseason tournament. I know last year they fell short, but with the talent we have now and my coaching ability, hopefully, we can capitalize on it and achieve the goal.”

To Woodfin, the game of hockey means more than just scoring goals. Woodfin said she has three big events she’s working on for the upcoming season to give back to the community.

“I have a lot in the works. We have a youth night and a cancer night. Hopefully we can raise a lot of money for the American Cancer Society. And then we’ll have a night to honor our former teammate Rachel McKay who lost her life to the battle of mental health. We’ll have a game to honor her which former coach Brittany Smith did as well,” Woodfin said. “We’re already working with Rachel’s family and some former teammates to get that going.”

“I’m just looking forward to giving back to the community and honoring a player that had such a huge impact on my life,” Woodfin added.