PWHL New York general manager Pascal Daoust addressed media calling the departure of head coach Howie Draper a "win-win" for Draper and the club, as his search now begins for a replacement.
PWHL New York general manager Pascal Daoust addressed media calling the departure of head coach Howie Draper a "win-win" for Draper and the club, as his search now begins for a replacement.
Pascal Daoust knew a coaching change needed to come in PWHL New York after his team finished at the bottom of the inaugural PWHL season standings. Despite the need for change, Daoust believes the situation was a "win-win" for the team, and now former head coach Howie Draper who will return to serve as the head coach at the University of Alberta, a role he's held for a quarter of a century.
"That kind of situation is rarely a win-win scenario and we honestly feel that it is one because Howie is happy to take charge of his program from the previous 26 seasons where he experience unparalleled success," said Daoust while addressing media.
Draper will remain tied to PWHL New York as a special advisor to New York's scouting staff, which likely means he'll be providing information to the team regarding U Sports players in Canada West.
With Draper gone, New York now enters the offseason with a void at the helm.
"New York, we're going to have to move on looking for the next coach to take care of the program," said Daoust. "Saying this, for us it's the best win-win-win scenario because I'm telling you Howie is very very pleased that he was part of that project but now very very pleased as well to take charge of the program where he feels like really really in charge of success, he's going back there with a smile."
Daoust addressed attributes he will look for in a new coach and said he will be looking at all possible candidates, with an emphasis on finding an experienced coach. With the PWHL Draft and Free Agency rapidly approaching, it's a position Daoust would like to fill sooner than later. That said, it's a choice he wants to get right.
"The ideal world would be to have the coach sitting at the table, that's for sure, but we have a window of time where we need to take good care because other than being at the draft, the role of the coach is way more important on building the next season..."
PWHL New York has the first overall pick at the 2024 PWHL Draft next month.