BIDDEFORD — The University of New England announced Tuesday its first women’s ice hockey coach ”“ and it didn’t skimp on experience.

The Nor’easters hired Erin Hamlen to lead UNE into its inaugural season this year.

Hamlen was the starting goalie for the United States women’s national team from 1992-97. She also played professionally for four different organizations.

“As a coach and player, Erin has been a part of women’s hockey at its highest level,” UNE Interim Athletic Director Curt Smyth said. “The level of success she has achieved, coupled with her knowledge and passion for the sport, will lend itself to creating a culture of excellence here at UNE. Erin will be an outstanding role model for our student athletes.”

Hamlen has realistic goals for her first five seasons heading the program, she said.

“I know that we probably won’t be a championship team, but I would hope that we can be in the top three quarters of the league and have a record over .500,” said the mother of two. “I know that I am getting a lot of support from the university.”

Hamlen ”“ formerly Erin Whitten ”“ attended the University of New Hampshire and played four years for the Wildcats. At the time of graduation, she held records for saves in a game (46), season (511) and career (1,556). She currently ranks as UNH’s all-time leader in victories, saves, minutes played and shutouts.

She also led UNH to the ECAC titles in 1990 and ’91. In 1992, she earned the ECAC Goaltender of the Year award.

Hamlen served as an assistant and associate head coach at the University of New Hampshire from 2000-10.

During her tenure at UNH, she played an instrumental role in the Wildcats winning four Hockey East Championships, as well as six consecutive regular-season titles. UNH also made a pair of Frozen Four appearances during that time ”“ seasons during which the team won a school-record 33 games in each campaign.

UNE kicks off its first women’s hockey season in the fall. Hamlen starts March 19.

Starting a program sparked Hamlen’s interest, she said, adding that she wanted to get back into coaching after taking a year off from coaching to focus on her family.

“I think the challenge was intriguing to me,” she said. “I’ve been out of the college game for two years. I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to start fresh at a different level and not only be a coach, but design a program.”

UNE is scheduled to have an ice hockey rink finished by then. The Nor’easters will compete as an independent varsity program in 2012-13 after the ECAC placed its application to join the conference on hold last summer, Smyth said.

UNE will reapply this summer, he said.

Hamlen’s job will not be easy as the first recruiting class, which comprises the 2012 roster, was not her own. She will have to wait for year two before she can add most of her own picks to the program.

“I think any coach involved with starting a program will have inherent challenges,” Smyth said. “One of the things she has working in her favor is we have a new building, diverse majors and the recent success we’ve enjoyed as an athletic department will be a selling point.”

While the task is enormous, Smyth said he feels Hamlen was the right choice because of her coaching and playing background.

“I think it was critical,” Smyth said. “Her experience as a player and a coach are impressive, but more important is her passion and energy that she’ll bring to the position.”

— Contact Al Edwards at 282-1535, Ext. 323.