Sam has been helping develop female hockey players since she was 18 when she started working for USA hockey at their National development camps through college. After obtaining her degree from Plattsburgh State University she worked as a Strength and Conditioning coach at the National development camps. She has also worked as a Strength and Conditioning coach at the women’s USA Hockey’s U18 and U22 training camp. She is very passionate about educating youth hockey players about their health and wellness on and off the ice. She knows how important sports are for youth to grow into young adults. When she moved to Atalnta in 2012 she recognized that there was not an all girls hockey program so her and Kristin Cardell started the Jr. Thrashers just 5 years ago. Sam knows Atlanta and the SE are nontraditional hockey markets and are working hard to develop more opportunities for girls to play ice hockey.

Coaching Experience:

• USA  Hockey Team Leader Girls State, Rgional, and National Development Camp (2004-2008)
• Head coach Team Illinois U14 Girls (2010)
• Assistant Coach Lake Forest College Womens team (2009-2010)
• USA Hockey Girls U18 Residency Program in Finland (2010-2011)
• USA Hockey Girls National Development Camp U18 Strength and Conditioning Coach (2009-2012 and 2015-Present)
• Lady Thrashers Coach (2015-Present)
• USA Hockey Southeast Girls National Tryouts Evaluator (2016-Present)

Sondra Pacey is a product of the Southeast District. Sondra grew up playing ice hockey for the Montgomery County boys’ programs in Rockville, Maryland. In High School, Sondra played for the 19U Girls’ organization now known as the Washington Pride. Mentored by Kush Sidhu, Sondra went on to play her Freshman year at Mercyhurst College and then transferred to complete her career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Sondra was a two-sport captain at RPI playing both field hockey and ice hockey.

After college, Sondra quickly jumped into coaching with the boys’ OYHA travel organization. Sondra coached and trained a handful of players who are now playing at the NCAA level. In 2010, Sondra was selected to be an intern coach at the U14 USA Hockey Girls’ National Player Development Camp.

Sondra is currently in her 17th year working as an instructor at the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den (Home of the Orlando Express). Sondra is the head power skating coach and leads learn to skate/play classes, youth and adult clinics and is also a lesson instructor. Sondra is currently the Orlando Express Program Director and a head coach for both the 12U and 15U Orlando Express teams.

Sondra’s passion for the game has lead her to create the Orlando Express Girls’ Hockey Program for the local girls in the Orlando area. Sondra welcomes you to join and help Orlando Express grow as we build a place for girls to play competitive hockey in the state of Florida.

Please feel free to email Coach Sondra if you would like more information about the Orlando Express.