A Trailblazing Journey
Olivia Cook, an Akwesasne Mohawk coach who leads the women’s hockey program at State University of New York Potsdam, recently returned from a three‑day stint at the Montreal Canadiens development camp in Brossard, Quebec. The experience, she says, was both humbling and invigorating, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a storied NHL franchise.
The highlight came when Martin St. Louis, the team’s assistant coach and former NHL star, praised Cook’s approach, describing it as “demanding without being demeaning.” The comment brought tears to Cook, who had traveled from the northern reaches of Akwesasne to the heart of Quebec to learn from one of hockey’s most respected minds.
During the camp she observed elite training methods, engaged in on‑ice drills with prospects, and absorbed a culture that blends tradition with relentless competition. The exposure has already begun to shape her coaching philosophy back at Potsdam, where she guided the team to an 11‑13‑2 record in the 2025‑26 season and secured the program’s first ever SUNY Athletic Conference tournament berth.
Her team’s debut in the tournament ended with a 4‑1 loss to Cortland on February 25, but the achievement itself marks a watershed moment for a program that had never before qualified for postseason play. The milestone reflects years of incremental progress, from early mornings on frozen ponds in Akwesasne to the bright lights of a major‑league camp.
Roots in a Borderland Community
Cook’s identity as an Indigenous coach is woven into her daily practice. She often wears jewelry designed by Mohawk artist Niio Perkins, a subtle yet powerful statement of heritage that she says keeps her grounded while she navigates a predominantly white sport.
Born and raised in the trans‑border Mohawk nation of Akwesasne, Cook first laced up skates in a girls’ hockey association that served a tight‑knit community straddling the U.S.–Canada border. She later attended Salmon River High School in Fort Covington, New York, before earning a scholarship to Cornell University, where she tallied 10 points in 89 games and contributed to two Eastern Athletic Conference championships.
After her junior year at Cornell, she returned to her roots, working with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s prevention programs focused on mental health and substance abuse. The experience deepened her commitment to using sport as a vehicle for community healing, a theme that would later surface in her partnership with John Chabot’s nonprofit First Assist.
Cook’s professional journey also took her abroad in 2019‑20, when she played in a women’s semi‑pro league in Adelaide, Australia. The stint, which she described as “amazing” despite the logistical challenges of distance and competition, broadened her tactical perspective and forged connections with athletes worldwide.
Back in North America, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in public health while serving as an assistant coach at SUNY Potsdam. In September 2023 she was promoted to head coach, a role she now fills with a blend of academic rigor and on‑ice strategy. The following year she marched in the university’s commencement ceremony, capping a decade‑long academic pursuit.
John Chabot, a retired Canadiens forward who recommended Cook for the development camp, believes she is on the cusp of securing an assistant coaching position in the Professional Women’s Hockey League or even the NHL. He cites her inquisitiveness, fearlessness, and willingness to ask questions as qualities that set her apart in a field where few Indigenous voices are heard.