When The PWHL Expands, Here's A Look At The Top Women Who Could Step In As Head Coaches

The PWHL has elevated women in hockey at every level, except coaching. The league still is dominated by men behind the bench with six of eight head coaching roles controlled by men. The only teams in the PWHL with women in the head coaching role are the Montreal Victoire with Kori Cheverie, and Ottawa Charge with Carla MacLeod.

While the league has chosen to predominantly select men to lead their teams, there remains an abundance of qualified and capable women who could step in and lead PWHL teams. One barrier that will keep some women from the league, and see others like former Boston Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel leave the league, is pay. Many of the NCAA's top coaches, like Ohio State's Nadine Muzzerall, make more by a significant margin coaching in the NCAA.

There are other long term coaches who could all take PWHL jobs like Laura Schuler and Katie Crowley who could take jobs, but getting them to leave their programs is the other issue. Jessica Campbell is the first and only woman on an NHL bench, and she's not likely to move to the PWHL, although she'd instantly be tabbed for a head coaching role if she wanted to make the shift. As conditions for players and coaches continue to improve in the PWHL however, expect that to change, and for the league to attract not only the best players, but the best staff as well.

This season PWHL teams hired three new head coaches in Boston's Kris Sparre, Seattle's Steven O'Rourke, and Vancouver's Brian Idalski. All three were hired by women in their team's general manager positions. With as many as four new teams set to join the PWHL in 2026-27, there will be coaching opportunities available across the league.