October 10, 2025 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
After just three years behind the bench at Hingham High School, Courtney Turner has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year for Girls Hockey, a prestigious honor awarded to a coach who demonstrates “excellence of character, impact upon students and community, and coaching credentials.”
Turner, who also teaches special education at Hingham High, led the Harborwomen to a Division I State Championship last season and has compiled an impressive 58-11-4 record during her short but dominant tenure. She will be formally honored at a ceremony on December 8th in Milford, Massachusetts.
“It feels good,” Turner said modestly of the award. “It’s a team effort.”
That phrase—team effort—is a theme that comes up often when Turner reflects on her journey from professional hockey player to high school coach. While she admits she came into the job with a strong background in hockey, the coaching experience has been a learning process far beyond the rink.
“Obviously, I love hockey. I’ve played hockey,” she said. “But coaching is not all about the hockey. It’s 50% hockey, 50% people management, skills, teamwork, and communication. You might be the best hockey player in the world, but it’s not always easy to be the coach.”
Building a Championship Culture
When Turner took over the Hingham program three years ago, the team was coming off a difficult season. She focused on rebuilding a positive culture, starting with relationships.
“My first year coming in, the girls kind of struggled the season before, and so everyone just wanted to have fun and start to love hockey again,” she recalled. “I think after we had success that first year, they wanted to buckle down… and each year we kind of built a new identity.”
That evolving identity peaked last season when Hingham captured the Division I title. Turner credits much of that success to the leadership of her players and the support of her coaching staff, both current and former, and athletic department.
“I’ve had some really great captains who are great leaders,” explained Turner. “And I’ve had the opportunity to coach with some great coaches… I’ve also had support from the boys’ side with Coach Tony (Messina) and from our athletic department. It really is a team effort.”
Making a Daily Impact
Turner’s impact extends well beyond game days and practices. As a full-time teacher at the school, she sees her players in the hallways, classrooms, and lunchrooms.
“I think working in the school and being in the school is a huge piece that not everyone gets to do,” she explained. “I get to be here for them if they have questions or just as a friendly face in the hallway. That makes a big difference.”
Senior CC Flynn, a two-year captain, says that connection is what makes Coach Turner stand out.
“Coach Turner has been super helpful,” Flynn said. “Coming in during my freshman year, she really created a great relationship with the girls on the team. That’s what sets her apart—she understands her players and knows how to make them better. She is always supporting us and pushing us to be our best selves on and off the field. It is awesome to see her succeed, and it is so deserved—she puts more time into hockey than anyone else I know.”
Eyes on the Future
As Hingham prepares for a new season, the spotlight is brighter than ever—and so are the expectations.
“Yes, people are gonna wanna beat us,” Turner said. “But it’s also a privilege because a lot of people want to play us. So each year, we’ve played a more competitive schedule, and I think that helps our confidence when we get into those tough games.”
Despite losing several key seniors, Turner remains focused on building a new identity for the team.
“You can’t always have the same game plan—you have to be flexible and figure out how you’re going to be successful with the people you have,” she said. “We’ve got returning players with tons of experience, and now it’s about developing a new way to play.”
With her balanced approach, deep hockey knowledge, and ability to build relationships, it’s no wonder Turner is being honored by the MIAA. And for Hingham High, she’s more than a coach—she’s a role model, mentor, and the architect of a championship culture.
Turner sums it up best: “It’s a team effort. It always has been.”