Chloé Aurard and her captivating career at Northeastern

Having established herself as one of the greatest to wear the jersey of the Northeastern Huskies, Chloé Aurard crafted an incredible body of work that future players shall strive to emulate. Simultaneously adding to a brilliant legacy of elite European talent that made Northeastern great, including Alina Mueller, Lucia Povova and Florence Schelling, among others, Aurard left an indelible mark.

Born in Saint-Martin-d’Heres, France, also a proud member of her national hockey team, her twin sister Anais was a captain for the NCAA Division III St. Norbert College Green Knights. Aurard’s final season in the Huskies jersey resulted in numerous milestones and tremendous achievements. Cementing her place among the program’s all-time greats, including an All-America selection in 2021, the results speak for themselves.

Reaching the 20-goal plateau for the third time, of which six were game-winning tallies, Aurard amassed a career high 54 points. Eclipsing the 200-point mark for her career, she joined Mueller, Megan Carter, Maureen Murphy and Gwyneth Phillips as 2023 New England Division I All-Stars.

Among the most treasured memories from this celebrated season, highlighted by three assists in a victorious Beanpot final, plus a goal and an assist in the Hockey East final, the opportunity to skate in the Frozen Four for the third consecutive time marked a fitting send-off. Adding to the combined sense of celebration and closure, Aurard proved essential. Opposing the Yale Bulldogs in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals, she scored the game winning goal, with Mueller and Carter logging the assists.

“Everything was special to me this year as it was my last year. My last Beanpot. My last hockey East championship and my last Frozen Four. I am so grateful to have been part of this incredible group of girls and to have had the chance to win the Beanpot and Hockey East (tournament) this year. 

Frozen Four was very special this year just because it was my last weekend playing with the Northeastern jersey. It has been special every year to reach the Frozen Four, but this year especially, touched me a little more. Playing my last game as a Husky was very emotional but even though we lost in the semifinal, I am still very proud and honored to have been part of this group.”

Every year at Northeastern, Aurard enjoyed the opportunity to win the Hockey East regular season and conference titles. Along with the Beanpot championship this year, of which Aurard was the 2020 MVP, representing a titanic triple, Aurard and her fellow Huskies have been synonymous with winning.

Undeniably, the standard of excellence set for the program encompasses an integral facet of what makes Aurard proud to wear the Huskies jersey. While the total of 10 Hockey East titles stands as one of her proudest achievements, the chance to be surrounded by a group of highly dedicated people, equally contributing towards forging a great culture made the time very worthwhile.

“It is amazing being able to play for Northeastern and winning the Hockey East title, but to win it five times in a row is really something unbelievable that we accomplished as a team every year.

After my coach (Dave Flint) won Coach of the Year honors this year, he said “it means I surrounded myself with the right people” and I really relate to this. It is my proudest achievement, yes, but not because of the fame and the rings. Mostly because of the people I shared those things with and who were around me for all these titles. 

After winning these 5 titles I could feel the love of every single one of the players in the room and that is what matters to me. The families we created all these years, the culture and values of the program that we see between generations is incredible and I give credit to the coaching staff and leadership we are given every single year.”

Graduating with an astounding 204 points, Aurard is only one of four Huskies to achieve such a spectacular pinnacle. Reaching the 200 point plateau on February 25, a goal against Emma Gorski signifying the feat, part of a three point effort in a convincing 5-1 win versus Merrimack, Aurard belongs to distinguished company. Along with teammates Alina Mueller and Maureen Murphy, plus celebrated alum Kendall Coyne as members of the 200-point club. 

Fittingly, Aurard and Mueller enjoy an epilogue to a season that solidified their legacies. Along with Huskies alumnae Aerin Frankel, Denisa Krizova and Haley Scamurra, all five shall wear their country’s colors at the IIHF Women’s World Championships in Brampton, Ontario. 

Skating for France, also known as Les Bleus, the team enjoys an historic feat. Winning the 2022 Division I Group A world championship, which saw Aurard finish as the leading scorer, this year marks a promotion to the top division. Adding momentum to a spectacular season for Aurard, also serving as alternate captain for France, one step closer to their Olympic hockey dream. Certainly, the experiences made at Northeastern not only elevated the strong quality of her game, the lifetime of memories accumulated made her a world class person.

“Reaching a certain amount of points is obviously always a great individual achievement. Yet again, I would not have reached it without my teammates and my coaching staff. I am super proud of the work I have accomplished over these 5 years. I really think I have improved as a player but it is also because of the faith my coaches had in me and the support I have had from my teammates.

I talk a lot about my teammates and my coaching staff but it is because I really believe that as a player you have to be surrounded by the right people to be able to reach your full potential. Truly, Northeastern gave me this. That is what I am going to miss the most from Northeastern, the people and the community that made me feel like home for the past 5 years.”

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“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”