PWHL Seattle started out strong when they hired Steve O'Rourke as their first head coach in franchise history. O'Rourke has over 15 years of coaching experience, his most recent coaching stint was with the Oshawa Generals.
On Thursday afternoon, the team announced that they had hired two assistant coaches in Christine Bumstead and Clayton Beddoes.
"We are thrilled to add Christine and Clayton to our bench," said general manager Meghan Turner. "Both have deep hockey knowledge and unique abilities to communicate effectively in diverse environments. They are exceptional individuals with experiences that helps establish our culture from day one."
Bumstead spent the last two seasons as the first female performance coach for the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades. Prior to that, her decorated background includes serving as an assistant coach for the University of Saskatchewan Women's Hockey Team, as well as holding the head coach position for Canada's Women's Deaf Hockey Team. She is also a member of the NHL Coaches Association Female Coaches Program and was a guest coach during a pre-season game for the Florida Panthers.
"I am so excited to contribute to this historic moment, supporting a strong team culture and shared success each time players hit the ice. I have no doubt Seattle will become a powerhouse fanbase for women's hockey" said Bumstead in an official press release.
Beddoes served as an assistant coach for the WHL Red Deer Rebels for the past two seasons before being hired by PWHL Seattle. During his two seasons with the Rebels, he helped to propel the team into the WHL Playoffs. He also served as a skills coach to the Rebels during the 2014-15 season. Before making his way back to the WHL, Beddoes coached the Italian Men's Hockey National Team, the Chinese Men's National Team during the 2022 Bejing Olympics, and a handful of clubs throughout Italy and Germany. His playing career was spent playing for the American Hockey League Providence Bruins before suffering a shoulder injury that ultimately injured his career.
"Being entrusted on the coaching staff for PWHL Seattle's inaugural season is a challenge that I accept with honor and enthusiasm," said Beddoes. "I look forward to working with Coach Bumstead, Coach O'Rourke and all of the staff members in Seattle to sow the seeds for what will surely become a successful franchise."