Latest news with #Idalski
Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Courtney Kessel officially leaves Boston Fleet in return to Princeton as women's hockey coach
'It is bittersweet to move on from the Boston Fleet and the amazing people building that organization and the PWHL as a whole,' Kessel said. 'This opportunity was the only one that could draw me away from where I was.' From Toronto, Kessel played at New Hampshire, where she was a 2010 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, given to the MVP of women's college hockey. She also represented Canada at three world championships, including a gold-medal win in 2012. Advertisement She also has Hockey Canada coaching experience, serving as a senior team assistant in 2024 and head coach of the 2023 gold-medal winning Under-18 team. The Fleet have undergone major changes this offseason. Star forward Advertisement 'Courtney set the tone from Day 1 and elevated our group with her competitiveness, preparation, and care,' Fleet GM Danielle Marmer said. 'She's already established herself as an elite coach early in her career, and I know she'll continue to raise the bar as the next head coach at Princeton.' In other PWHL coaching news, Brian Idalski is leaving St. Cloud State after being hired as coach of Vancouver, the league announced Monday. The 54-year-old has more than 20 years of women's hockey coaching experience, including overseeing China's national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Idalski also coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two Russian-women's league ZhHL championships over a three-year period. Vancouver's inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players, Michela Cava and Hannah Miller, who also played for China in 2022. Idalski's hiring comes a day before the PWHL draft. Vancouver will select seventh followed by Seattle, with the expansion teams switching the final two spots in each successive round of the six-round draft. Idalski spent the past three seasons at St. Cloud State, where he earned college hockey coach of the year honors in 2023 after the team tied a school record with 18 wins. Seattle filled its coaching position last week by hiring Steve O'Rourke.
Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Cloud State's Brian Idalski hired as first coach of PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver
Brian Idalski is leaving St. Cloud State after being hired as coach of the PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver, the league announced Monday. The 54-year-old has more than 20 years of women's hockey coaching experience, including overseeing China's national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Idalski also coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two Russian-women's league ZhHL championships over a three-year period. Vancouver's inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players, Michela Cava and Hannah Miller , who also played for China in 2022. Idalski's hiring comes a day before the PWHL draft. Vancouver will select seventh followed by Seattle, with the expansion teams switching the final two spots in each successive round of the six-round draft. 'Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. 'What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders.' From Warren, Michigan, Idalski spent the past three seasons at St. Cloud State, where he earned college hockey coach of the year honors in 2023 after the team tied a school record with 18 wins. His teams have combined for five NCAA Tournament appearances, with previous stops at North Dakota and Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 'I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent,' Idalski said. Seattle filled its coaching position by hiring Steve O'Rourke last week . ___ AP women's hockey:
Vancouver Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
PWHL's Vancouver team names Brian Idalski as its first head coach
The Professional Women's Hockey League's new team in Vancouver has named Brian Idalski as its first head coach. Idalski joins the expansion side following three seasons at St. Cloud State University, where he led the women's hockey team to a program-record 36 conference points and tied its record of 18 wins. The 54-year-old from Warren, Mich., joins the PWHL after 18 seasons as a collegiate coach, including time at the University of North Dakota and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and appearances in five NCAA tournament appearances. Idalski previously coached overseas for the KRS Vanke Rays in Shenzhen, China, where he won two Zhenskaya Hockey League titles in three years, and worked with recent PWHL Vancouver acquisitions Michela Cava and Hannah Miller. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He was also head coach of the China's women's hockey team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, a team that also included Miller. Idalski said working with so many familiar players in Vancouver is a unique opportunity. 'The PWHL has had a huge impact on the global game, and to be a part of that — with expansion helping push it even further forward — is an unbelievable feeling,' he said in a statement. 'I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent.' Idalski is a 'proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' said Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey. 'What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders,' she said in a news release. 'I'm excited that he will lead our incredible group in Vancouver and can't wait to see his vision and influence shape our foundation.'
Ottawa Citizen
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
PWHL's Vancouver team names Brian Idalski as its first head coach
Article content The Professional Women's Hockey League's new team in Vancouver has named Brian Idalski as its first head coach. Article content Idalski joins the expansion side following three seasons at St. Cloud State University, where he led the women's hockey team to a program-record 36 conference points and tied its record of 18 wins. Article content Article content The 54-year-old from Warren, Mich., joins the PWHL after 18 seasons as a collegiate coach, including time at the University of North Dakota and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and appearances in five NCAA tournament appearances. Article content Article content Idalski previously coached overseas for the KRS Vanke Rays in Shenzhen, China, where he won two Zhenskaya Hockey League titles in three years, and worked with recent PWHL Vancouver acquisitions Michela Cava and Hannah Miller. Article content Article content He was also head coach of the China's women's hockey team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, a team that also included Miller. Article content Idalski said working with so many familiar players in Vancouver is a unique opportunity. Article content 'The PWHL has had a huge impact on the global game, and to be a part of that — with expansion helping push it even further forward — is an unbelievable feeling,' he said in a statement. 'I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent.' Article content Article content Idalski is a 'proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' said Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey. Article content Article content
Calgary Herald
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
PWHL's Vancouver team names Brian Idalski as its first head coach
Article content The Professional Women's Hockey League's new team in Vancouver has named Brian Idalski as its first head coach. Article content Idalski joins the expansion side following three seasons at St. Cloud State University, where he led the women's hockey team to a program-record 36 conference points and tied its record of 18 wins. Article content Article content The 54-year-old from Warren, Mich., joins the PWHL after 18 seasons as a collegiate coach, including time at the University of North Dakota and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and appearances in five NCAA tournament appearances. Article content Article content Idalski previously coached overseas for the KRS Vanke Rays in Shenzhen, China, where he won two Zhenskaya Hockey League titles in three years, and worked with recent PWHL Vancouver acquisitions Michela Cava and Hannah Miller. Article content Article content He was also head coach of the China's women's hockey team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, a team that also included Miller. Article content Idalski said working with so many familiar players in Vancouver is a unique opportunity. Article content 'The PWHL has had a huge impact on the global game, and to be a part of that — with expansion helping push it even further forward — is an unbelievable feeling,' he said in a statement. 'I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent.' Article content Article content Idalski is a 'proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' said Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey. Article content Article content 'What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders,' she said in a news release. Article content
