Latest news with #SteveORourke
Washington Post
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
PWHL Seattle taps Steve O'Rourke as the expansion team's first coach
Steve O'Rourke was named coach of the PWHL Seattle expansion team on Friday. The move brings in a newcomer to women's hockey, but someone who is very familiar to the Pacific Northwest having played at Washington State. 'This is something I've thought about since the league was first announced,' O'Rourke said in a statement. 'To now be given the opportunity to work with the best players in the world and be part of a professional league that is thriving both on and off the ice is truly amazing. Being from the West and having played hockey in Washington State, I've seen first-hand how much the game has grown in this region. The passion and support for hockey here is real, and I'm proud to now be part of it in a new way.'
CBC
10 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
PWHL Seattle taps Steve O'Rourke as the expansion team's 1st coach
Steve O'Rourke was named coach of the PWHL Seattle expansion team on Friday. The move brings in a newcomer to women's hockey, but someone who is very familiar to the Pacific Northwest having played at Washington State. "This is something I've thought about since the league was first announced," O'Rourke said in a statement. "To now be given the opportunity to work with the best players in the world and be part of a professional league that is thriving both on and off the ice is truly amazing. Being from the West and having played hockey in Washington State, I've seen first-hand how much the game has grown in this region. The passion and support for hockey here is real, and I'm proud to now be part of it in a new way." While the roster is still being constructed, O'Rourke will have the benefit of coaching a team featuring four-time Olympian Hilary Knight, who became the first player Seattle signed during the PWHL's expansion process two weeks ago. "We're proud to welcome Steve as the first head coach in PWHL Seattle's history," PWHL Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a statement. "He brings a great hockey mind, a clear vision for the game, and a strong commitment to developing both our team and our players as individuals. We're confident in his leadership and excited to start this next chapter with him behind the bench." The 50-year-old O'Rourke comes in with 15 years of coaching experience, most recently having worked in the junior ranks with the Ontario Hockey League's Oshawa Generals. He was an assistant with the Generals for two years before being elevated to head coach for the 2024-25 season. Seattle is already deep at forward, with Turner already envisioning her top two lines. Knight, who finished tied for the PWHL lead with 29 points last season, is also joined by two-time U.S. Olympian Alex Carpenter and Canada's Danielle Serdachny, who was selected by Ottawa as the No. 2 pick in last year's draft. Seattle will participate in its first PWHL Draft on June 24, when it will make six picks, including the eighth overall selection.
New York Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
PWHL Seattle names Steve O'Rourke first-ever head coach
PWHL Seattle has named Steve O'Rourke its first-ever head coach ahead of its inaugural season, the team announced Friday. 'We're proud to welcome Steve as the first head coach in PWHL Seattle's history,' general manager Meghan Turner said in a release. 'He brings a great hockey mind, a clear vision for the game, and a strong commitment to developing both our team and our players as individuals. We're confident in his leadership and excited to start this next chapter with him behind the bench.' Advertisement O'Rourke most recently coached the OHL's Oshawa Generals, serving as an assistant coach for two years before being promoted to head coach for the 2024-25 season. He was stunningly fired in December while the Generals were in first place in the East Division. 'I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Professional Women's Hockey League,' O'Rourke said in the team's release. 'This is something I've thought about since the league was first announced. To now be given the opportunity to work with the best players in the world and be part of a professional league that is thriving both on and off the ice is truly amazing. Being from the West and having played hockey in Washington State, I've seen first-hand how much the game has grown in this region. The passion and support for hockey here is real, and I'm proud to now be part of it in a new way. To have the opportunity to help shape the Seattle team alongside Meghan Turner and the players is something I don't take for granted. It's an exciting challenge, and I'm looking forward to building something special with this group.' The PWHL recently announced its expansion to Seattle and Vancouver and held its expansion draft on June 9. PWHL Seattle will debut this fall at Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL's Seattle Kraken.
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
PWHL Seattle taps Steve O'Rourke as the expansion team's first coach
Steve O'Rourke was named coach of the PWHL Seattle expansion team on Friday. The move brings in a newcomer to women's hockey, but someone who is very familiar to the Pacific Northwest having played at Washington State. 'This is something I've thought about since the league was first announced,' O'Rourke said in a statement. 'To now be given the opportunity to work with the best players in the world and be part of a professional league that is thriving both on and off the ice is truly amazing. Being from the West and having played hockey in Washington State, I've seen first-hand how much the game has grown in this region. The passion and support for hockey here is real, and I'm proud to now be part of it in a new way.' While the roster is still being constructed, O'Rourke will have the benefit of coaching a team featuring four-time Olympian Hilary Knight, who became the first player Seattle signed during the PWHL's expansion process two weeks ago. 'We're proud to welcome Steve as the first head coach in PWHL Seattle's history,' PWHL Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a statement. 'He brings a great hockey mind, a clear vision for the game, and a strong commitment to developing both our team and our players as individuals. We're confident in his leadership and excited to start this next chapter with him behind the bench.' The 50-year-old O'Rourke comes in with 15 years of coaching experience, most recently having worked in the junior ranks with the Ontario Hockey League's Oshawa Generals. He was an assistant with the Generals for two years before being elevated to head coach for the 2024-25 season. Seattle is already deep at forward, with Turner already envisioning her top two lines. Knight, who finished tied for the PWHL lead with 29 points last season, is also joined by two-time U.S. Olympian Alex Carpenter and Canada's Danielle Serdachny, who was selected by Ottawa as the No. 2 pick in last year's draft. Seattle will participate in its first PWHL Draft on June 24, when it will make six picks, including the eighth overall selection. ___ AP women's hockey:
