The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced the head coaches that will lead the league’s six teams Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Among the most notable names were Toronto’s Troy Ryan — who leads the Canadian national women’s hockey team — and Montreal’s Kori Cheverie, who is an assistant coach of the Canadian national women’s team.
- Carla MacLeod, who won three gold medals with Team Canada (two in the Olympics and one World Championship) and is coach of the Czech national women’s team, will coach the PWHL’s Ottawa team.
- Courtney Kessel (Boston), Charlie Burggraf (Minnesota) and Howie Draper (New York) were the other three coaches named. Kessel currently serves as associate head coach of Boston University’s women’s team.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What stands out about the hires?
There is a ton of experience to get excited about with these coaching hires. But what stands out to me the most is that long-time coaches in the Canadian university system are leaving their jobs to join the PWHL. Draper has coached at the University of Alberta for decades and did not leave that job for the CWHL. Ryan wasn’t leaving Dalhousie, either. But now, they’re making the jump from USport to pro, and that should be a good sign for this league. —…
