The Quinnipiac University women’s ice hockey team is enjoying a well-earned break after notching 17 wins in their first 20 games, but their coach isn’t taking time off to rest.

Last week, Cass Turner got to run practice with the NHL’s Washington Capitals as a guest coach. It’s part of the NHL Coaches Association’s efforts to continue to grow the game for young women.

“Anytime you get the chance to be around elite coaches and elite athletes, there’s so much that you can learn,” said Turner.

Turner said the biggest thing she learned was the value of the “little things” in the process.

In her nine years leading the Bobcats, she’s won more games than any coach in program history – including an ECAC Hockey championship.

“An experience like this is just for them to see that women at high levels understand the game and can coach the game at a high level too,” said Turner.

Turner believes that with the new opportunities provided by the Professional Women’s Hockey League – which will feature games in Bridgeport – a woman will be behind an NHL bench in a game sooner than later.