Masters Academy International Names Jeff Pellegrini Director of Girls Hockey

Coach who developed 17 Olympians and 3 Patty Kazmaier Award winners brings championship-caliber program-building expertise to groundbreaking academy

STOW, MA. – Masters Academy International (MAI) today announced Jeff Pellegrini as Director of Girls Hockey, bringing 24 years of elite coaching experience and a proven track record of developing Olympic and professional players to the academy’s comprehensive hockey program. Pellegrini, who has guided programs to multiple Hockey East, Ivy League, Beanpot, and NESCAC Championships while developing 17 Olympians and 36 NHL Draft picks, will lead MAI’s girls hockey program when the academy opens in September 2026.

“Jeff’s remarkable ability to build programs from the ground up while developing players who compete at the Olympics, PWHL, and NCAA National Championships makes him one of the most accomplished coaches in women’s hockey,” said Peter Masters, Co-Founder and Director of Athletics at MAI. “His transformation of The Winchendon School’s program from 2 teams to 4 competitive teams demonstrates exactly the kind of visionary leadership we need at MAI.”

Pellegrini’s collegiate coaching journey includes successful tenures at Harvard University, Northeastern University, and Bowdoin College, where he recruited and developed 3 Patty Kazmaier Award winners (given annually to the Division I Women’s Ice Hockey National Player of the Year), 61 National Team members, and 44 All-Americans. Most recently, as Director of Hockey at The Winchendon School, he built one of New England’s most respected player-development environments, growing the program from 46 to 121 players and establishing competitive 16U and 19U Girls Full Season programs.

“Success is about becoming the best version of yourself every day,” said Pellegrini. “On the ice, it’s measured through effort, growth, and the ability to execute under pressure. Off the ice, success is reflected in character—how our athletes lead, handle challenges, and support others. Ultimately, we aim to develop confident, resilient young people who thrive in college and life beyond sport.”

His recruiting classes at Northeastern for 2017, 2018, and 2019 all ranked in the Top Three nationally, and he developed the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA National Tournament. At Harvard, he recruited 20 of the 26 players on the 2015 NCAA National Championship runner-up team.

“Teamwork means putting the collective goals above individual recognition,” Pellegrini explained. “True teamwork happens when athletes celebrate each other’s accomplishments, pick each other up during adversity, and commit to growing together on and off the ice.”

The girls hockey program at MAI will compete at the highest levels of prep and Tier I AAA hockey, facing the strongest programs across North America with a schedule designed to challenge players and showcase their talent to every NCAA program in the country.

“At MAI, you don’t just train—you prepare to dominate,” Pellegrini noted. “Every detail is designed to mirror the demands of elite college and professional hockey: advanced skill development, position-specific training, video analysis, strength and conditioning, and a culture that breeds accountability and confidence. This is where talented athletes become complete, college-ready, and pro-ready hockey players.”

Masters Academy International, part of Cognita’s global network of 100 schools, is pioneering a new model for student-athlete development. Located in Stow, MA, the academy combines rigorous academics with elite athletic training, providing 360-degree support to help students reach their full potential in all areas.

About Masters Academy International: Masters Academy International is a groundbreaking boarding school opening in Fall 2026 that reimagines the student-athlete experience. Offering comprehensive academic programs alongside elite training in multiple sports, MAI provides students with the tools and support to excel in the classroom, on the field, and in life. Learn more at https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/.

Media Contact: Mackenzie Weeden, Director of Marketing, Masters Academy International, media@mastersacademyinternational.com.