CANTON — Alison Domenico is playing for a new head coach in her final season as a St. Lawrence University women’s hockey player after spending the first three years of her career playing for Paul Flanagan.

Former men’s assistant coach Chris Wells took over the women’s program after Flanagan left at the end of last season to become the first coach of the Syracuse University program.

While Domenico said she enjoyed playing for Flanagan, she also appears to have found a kindred spirit in Wells.

“I like Wellsy,” Domenico said. “He’s one of the most passionate guys. He’s loud and gets the girls fired up in practices. He leaves so much on the ice. He likes to challenge you. He teaches you as you are playing.”

Domenico, a senior from Nepean, Ontario, is similar to her coach. She’s one of the fiery, emotional leaders on the SLU squad and is one of two assistant captains.

“I think she really is someone who plays on her emotion and has been able to use that emotion to get to this level and have the success that she’s had,” Wells said. “It’s great to see that emotion and be able to rely on that. That’s what gets her excited to play.”

Some people who play on emotion ride ups and downs in their careers, but Domenico has been a consistent player for the Saints.

She finished with 12 goals and 19 assists as a freshman and had 17 goals and 19 assists each of the past two seasons, reaching 103 career points heading into her senior year.

But Domenico doesn’t worry how many points she’s picked up. After all, she’s been part of two Frozen Fours and her team was within a game of reaching that stage again last year.

“I don’t really care about points or whatever, as long as we’re winning and I’m contributing to that, I’m pretty happy,” Domenico said. “I’m trying to learn more about being a good example for the younger kids. It’s definitely different being a senior, you are the class everyone looks up to. I know on and off the ice I’m trying to set a good example and work hard.”

Domenico has also found a kindred spirit on the team in her roommate, Brasher Falls native Marianna Locke, also a senior.

Locke, the team captain, and Domenico each grew up with fathers who were their coaches. Domenico’s father, Pat, coached her with the Nepean Raiders, and Locke’s father, Mickey, coached her at St. Lawrence Central.

“(Locke) is one of the greatest people I’ve ever met,” Domenico said. “She’s so nice and generous and humble. She represents what Canton and St. Lawrence are all about. I love being her roommate.”

Wells will also be counting on Domenico, Locke and other seniors Carson Duggan, Lisa Batchelor and Jordan Pyers to help him have a smooth transition to his new job.

“I think they are probably the major component of this team,” Wells said. “Just the way the five of them carry themselves, they provide great leadership. I think anybody who can come in and play under these girls here will learn a great deal. Each senior brings something different, and together they are the total package.”

Domenico, like Locke, hopes to get into coaching someday, but the duo has discussed the possibility of playing professional hockey in Europe next season.

“Now that the season is starting we haven’t talked about it as much,” Domenico said. “But we’d like to get one more season together.”