May 14, 2015

Kathleen M. Wynters ’82: Neutrality nonexistent

Kathy Wynters ’82 watches a video at the championship tribute on April 14.
Kathy Wynters ’82 watches a video at the championship tribute on April 14.

No one has more time invested in the Hockey East Association (HEA) than Kathy Walsh Wynters ’82. Currently associate commissioner, she’s served the conference for 23 years.

She worked alongside founding commissioner Lou Lamoriello ’63 & ’01Hon., former PC athletic director and men’s hockey coach, when Hockey East was launched in 1983, while working in the PC athletics department. After a stint with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and time as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to Hockey East in 2000.

When the conference was awarded the bid for the 2015 Frozen Four, current Commissioner Joe Bertagna appointed Wynters as tournament manager. As hosts, those associated with the conference dreamed of a member school(s) advancing to Boston. In the final match-up, which HEA couldn’t lose, it was impossible to be neutral with PC facing Boston University.

“We couldn’t have written a better script,” she said. “And then to have the Friars win it all…. I was thrilled.”