Merrimack's new women's hockey program just landed another playmaker.

As the Warriors gear up for their first season, head coach Courtney Kennedy has assembled her opening coaching staff with a familiar New England name: North Reading native Robert "Bobo" Carpenter, a former Boston University captain whose playing career took him from Hockey East to pro rinks across North America and Europe.

Carpenter joins Kennedy behind the bench alongside assistant coach Keri Clougherty and director of hockey operations Hedi Droste.

If his playing career is any indication, Carpenter knows how to fill the scoresheet. He totaled 102 points in four seasons at Boston University, captained the Terriers and earned Hockey East Second Team All-Star honors before spending eight years in the professional ranks.

He heads to Merrimack coming off one of his best seasons yet. Skating for the ECHL's Kansas City Mavericks, Carpenter scored 25 goals with 18 assists in the regular season, then caught fire in the Kelly Cup playoffs with 10 goals and six assists in 20 games.

The hire also adds another chapter to one of New England hockey's best-known families.

Carpenter is the son of former NHL star Bobby Carpenter, the first American-born player to score 50 goals in an NHL season and a three-time Stanley Cup champion. His sister, Alex Carpenter, won the Patty Kazmaier Award at Boston College and has been a fixture on the U.S. women's national team.

Before stepping behind Merrimack's bench, Carpenter coached with Axe Sports Group, helping develop young players while scouting talent throughout the region.

The coaching addition comes as Merrimack hockey continues to build momentum. Kennedy took over the women's program in March and was recently tapped to coach the 2027 U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team. On the men's side, the Warriors captured the 2026 Hockey East championship and punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament.

Now it's the women's program's turn to take the ice — with a hometown hockey name helping lead the charge.