ABOUT US
Meet Jill
Jill McNeil is a former elite defenseman who anchored the blue line for four seasons at the University of Minnesota Duluth, one of the most respected programs in NCAA Division I women’s hockey. Serving as assistant captain, she helped lead the team to two NCAA quarterfinal appearances and a national championship silver medal finish in 2006–2007.
During her collegiate career, Jill trained and competed alongside Olympic medalists and world-class coaches, gaining valuable experience in a high-performance environment at the highest levels of the game.
Prior to college, Jill developed through top Canadian programs, including Team Alberta, where she was recognized as the team’s top defenseman at the Canada Winter Games (2003). She also captained the Edmonton Rebels, demonstrating leadership and a strong commitment to excellence from an early age. Her background includes competing in both boys’ and girls’ hockey, giving her a well-rounded and unique perspective on player development.
In addition to her playing career, Jill has coaching experience in elite youth hockey as well as elite youth softball, where she has worked closely with developing athletes to build strong fundamentals, confidence, and a competitive mindset.
Jill’s approach to athlete development is grounded in both experience and education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in Psychology, and is a certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutritionist, and Certified Spin Instructor through ISSA. This combination allows her to support athletes not only in skill development, but also in physical conditioning, mental performance, and overall wellness.
As a mother of four daughters, Jill brings a deeply personal understanding of the importance of positive coaching, confidence-building, and creating an environment where young femal athletes feel supported and empowered. She is passionate about helping girls grow in sport while developing resilience, self-belief, and a lifelong love of the game.
“Since I was a little girl playing boys’ hockey, I’ve seen the women’s game grow into an NCAA Division I sport, an Olympic sport, and now a professional sport. My passion and mission is to provide girls with the resources, tools, and education to help them reach the heights the game has grown to.”
