Full Circle: Nora Wagner’s Return to Eden Prairie Hockey

This post is part of a four‑part series highlighting some of the Eden Prairie girls’ hockey assistant coaches — the women shaping the next generation of players through leadership, connection, and community.

Read the full series: 

• Paige Sorenson
• Amanda Leveille (coming soon)
• Kim Abrahams (coming soon)

A Full-Circle Return to Eden Prairie

There’s something special about coming home — especially when “home” is a rink where you grew up, learned the game, and built lifelong friendships. For Eden Prairie alum Nora Wagner, stepping behind the bench this season wasn’t just a new coaching opportunity; it was a full-circle moment. With a joy-first philosophy and a deep understanding of what makes Minnesota girls’ hockey unique, Nora is helping shape the next generation of Eagles with empathy, intention, and heart.

From the EPHS Girls Hockey Coaching Staff website:
A native of Eden Prairie, Nora graduated from Eden Prairie High School in 2020, where she earned All-Lake Conference Honors and the Hobey Baker Character Award her senior year. She attended St. Lawrence University in New York, earning her bachelor’s degree in Biophysics.

Coaching With Joy, Intention, and Empathy

One of the things that stood out most in my conversation with Nora was her love of hockey — and how deeply she wants to pass that love on to every player she coaches. She wants her athletes to enjoy every moment they step into the rink, to feel supported, and to leave the season with memories they’ll carry long after high school. She’s mindful of the responsibility that comes with coaching teenage athletes, focusing on building confidence rather than breaking it down, and tailoring her approach to each player’s strengths rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model

“Hockey in Minnesota is special… you get to grow up in your community, play for your community, and then eventually play for your high school team.”

Why Minnesota Hockey Still Feels Like Home

Since Nora played for Eden Prairie throughout her high school career, she knows this program well and is proud to now be back as a coach. Minnesota’s community-based model is something she values deeply — the idea that players can stay in their hometown, grow through each level, and still be part of a competitive, high-level program.

Building Confidence in the Next Generation

Nora has coached players of all ages, from the Little Twigs program for 4–8-year-olds, to 15U, and now the high school program. She’s thoughtful about how she communicates with her players, saying:

“A little comment from me might mean the world to them.”

She also shared how important it is to avoid singling players out or making anyone feel lesser than their teammates:

“Don’t single girls out and make them feel less than everyone else.”

High school can be a challenging time — especially for teenage girls — and Nora walks the line between teaching, encouraging, and protecting her players’ confidence with real care. Her goal is simple: make practices fun, make the rink a place they want to be, and help each player grow in their own way.

A Young Team With Big Potential

Nora spends much of her time coaching the JV team and is excited about the future of Eden Prairie girls’ hockey. Both JV and varsity have a lot of youth this season, and she’s energized by what she sees as the beginning of something special. As she told me:

“They all show up every day ready to practice… high energy, smiling on the ice, which makes my job super easy.”

The Family That Built Her Love for the Game

Growing up, Nora and her four sisters all played hockey and were coached by their dad. His presence behind the bench shaped not only her skills on the ice, but also her love for the game. Both of her parents taught her about teamwork, resilience, and respect — lessons that extended far beyond hockey and continue to influence how she approaches challenges today. Their support throughout her hockey career is a big part of what brought her to where she is now.

Inspired by the Women Who Came Before Her

Nora grew up as a huge Gigi Marvin fan, inspired by her play and thrilled any time she got to watch her with the Gophers or Team USA. She also grew up playing hockey with her sisters — a competitive, joyful environment that pushed her to skate harder and dream bigger.

A Love for the Game That Shines Through

What shone through most in our conversation was Nora’s love of the sport and her passion for helping young players love it too. As she put it:

“I think if everyone loved the sport like I do, then I think the world would be a very happy place.”

Nora’s story is proof that the impact of a high school program doesn’t end at graduation. It lives on in the players who return, the coaches who care, and the communities that keep showing up. Her full-circle journey is a reminder that the future of girls’ hockey is built by people who love the game — and the people in it — deeply.