Louie Abounader is an assistant coach for the University of Louisville hockey team. As the newest addition to this year's coaching staff, Louie is entering his first season with the Cardinals and first season coaching overall.
Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Louie began playing hockey at the age of four years old. Having frequently participated at the top competitive level in Montreal's youth hockey system, he was recruited to play for Gilmour Academy's Prep program, where he spent two seasons at the U-18 AAA level. Upon graduation in 2013, Louie then committed to Nichols College, briefly competing at the NCAA Division III level before electing to transfer to ACHA Division I's Davenport University in 2015. While at Davenport, Louie was a member of two National Tournament-qualifying teams, en route to earning his Bachelor's degree in Sport Management in 2017. He then enrolled at the University of Louisville, where he was able to earn his Master's degree in Sport Administration in 2019, while simultaneously competing for the team he now coaches. Louie was an assistant captain during his time as a player with the Cardinals who, along with teammate Yannis Soukas, were fixtures among the nation's leading scorers at the ACHA Division II level. As a player for Louisville, Louie accumulated All-TSCHL recognitions as a 1st Team selection in 2018-19 and an honorable mention in 2017-18. As a final curtain call to his playing career, Louie embraced his Lebanese family heritage by competing at the 2020 Arab Cup of Hockey as a member of Lebanon's Senior National Team, earning himself a bronze medal in the process.
In January 2022, Louie was hired as the first ever Director of Hockey for the Louisville Ice Cardinals youth program. In spearheading this initiative, he hopes to grow the amazing game of hockey at the grassroots level within the Louisville metro area.
Louie currently resides in Jeffersonville, Indiana with his lovely wife Shannon.