If a PWHL head coaching job comes available, one of these 10 coaches might be next in line for the job.
There's no guarantee every coach in the PWHL will be back next season. Some coaches in the PWHL took leaves of absences from their current jobs to become assistant coaches and head coaches in the PWHL. They could return, or a general manager could choose to part ways with their coach and start fresh.
There is a plethora of qualified and talented women in coaching who could step in and become head coaches in the PWHL. In terms of luring NCAA coaches away from their jobs, it's unlikely too many head coaches will leave their programs to join the PWHL as the pay in some cases would be less, but assistant coaches and U Sports coaches, as well as those working in junior and lower levels of professional hockey are prime candidates to take over.
Here's a look at the top candidates to take the next head coaching vacancy in the PWHL.
- Jessica Campbell - Assistant Coach, Coachella Valley Firebirds - Hired as the first woman to stand behind the bench for an AHL team, Campbell has served as an assistant coach in the AHL, a skills coach for the DEL’s Nurnberg Ice Tigers, stepped behind the bench for Germany at the men’s World Championship, and has worked in a development role in multiple capacities with the NHL's Seattle Kraken. She's working with PWHL Ottawa in an advisory role so already has her foot in the door with the league.
- Vicky Sunohara - Head Coach, University of Toronto - A two-time Olympic gold medallist and seven-time world champion as a player, Sunohara is one of the all-time greats for Canada. Twice named the U Sports coach of the year, Sunohara is one of the best in the business. She's also been serving as an assistant with Canada's U-18 program in recent seasons. With her family secured in Toronto, she may not want to leave her current job, but she would be a difference maker for a team in the PWHL.
- Stefanie McKeough - Assistant Coach, PWHL Boston - Teams won't just look outside the league, they'll look from within, and Stefanie McKeough will be one of the names that games traction in that discussion. Former head coach in the SDHL and U Sports with the University of Ottawa, McKeough has also served as an assistant with the Ottawa Gee Gees, Canada's U-18 women's program, and this year with PWHL Boston. She's gained the experience, next step is seizing the opportunity.
- Haley Irwin - Assistant Coach, PWHL Ottawa - As a player Irwin has Olympic and World Championship gold with Canada, and an NCAA title. Prior to joining PWHL Ottawa she served as an assistant coach with Toronto Metropolitan University where she served under Lisa Haley. In Ottawa she's working with Carla MacLeod. She's had the tutelage, and looks like a future head coach in this league.
- Rachel Flanagan - Assistant Coach, PWHL Toronto - With 15 years of experience as head coach at the University of Guelph, Flanagan jumped into a new role taking a leave from Guelph to join Toronto. She's got the head coaching experience, has worked with Hockey Canada, and now has PWHL experience. If she's willing to move, she's a top candidate.
- Laura Schuler - Assistant Coach, University of Minnesota-Duluth - A long-time assistant coach for Minnesota-Duluth, Schuler brings playing experience including an Olympic silver medal and three World Championship gold representing Canada. She has head coaching experience with Dartmouth and Northeastern, and coached at Washington Capitals development camp.
- Meghan Duggan - Director of Player Development, New Jersey Devils - Team USA captain, Olympic gold medallist, seven-time world champion, Patty Kazmaier Award winner, and Clarkson Cup champion as a player. Duggan served as an assistant coach for Clarkson University for two seasons and was recently hired as the director of player development for the New Jersey Devils. Her path may lead to the front office or another NHL job, but she is beyond qualified to coach.
- Lisa Haley - Head Coach, Toronto Metropolitan University - With Canada, she has been an assistant for the national women’s team at the World Championship and Olympics, while also serving as head coach for the U-18 team. In University hockey, Haley was the long-time head coach for Saint Mary’s University where she was named CIS coach of the year, and now serves as head coach for Toronto Metropolitan University. She has 25 years of experience as a University head coach. Haley also spent a season as an assistant in the NWHL with the Toronto Six and served as head coach for Hungary’s national women’s team for multiple seasons.
- Lindsay Berman - Assistant Coach, Northeastern University - A former player in the NCAA, then CWHL and NWHL, Berman has been around the game for years as a player, then as a coach. She started in Division III with UMass-Boston, where she eventually assumed the head coaching role. For the last five seasons, Berman has been an assistant at Northeastern, and also coached with USA's U-18 national team.
- Margot Page - Head Coach, Brock University - A three-time World Champion for Canada in the pre-Olympic era, Page started her coaching career in 1998 as the head coach for the NCAA’s Niagara Purple Eagles. She coached with Canada at the Olympics and spent several seasons working with Switzerland’s national program. Page is the head coach for the Brock University Badgers, a role she has held since 2015.
Other coaches to watch: Jennifer Wakefield, Megan Bozek, Zoe Hickel, Venla Hovi, Shelly Picard, Melissa Samoskevich, Alyssa Sleasman, Kim Weiss, Kelly Nash
Stefanie McKeough•Vicky Sunohara•Lisa Haley•Haley Irwin•PWHL•Jessica Campbell•Laura Schuler•Rachel Flanagan•Lindsay Berman