PWHL Seattle is hiring a former OHL coach to serve as its first bench boss.
Steve O’Rourke has been hired as the expansion team’s first coach, the squad announced Friday.
O’Rourke joins PWHL Seattle with over 15 years of coaching experience across multiple levels of hockey. Most recently, he spent two-and-a-half seasons with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, serving as an assistant coach before being elevated to head coach for the 2024-25 season.
O’Rourke was dismissed midway through the season by Oshawa.
“We’re proud to welcome Steve as the first head coach in PWHL Seattle’s history,” said general manager Meghan Turner. “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 Summerland, B.C., native has extensive ties to the Pacific Northwest as a former player for the WHL’s Tri-City Americans in nearby Washington State.
Before becoming a coach, O’Rourke was a defenceman with the Americans and was selected by the New York Islanders in the 1992 NHL Draft.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Professional Women’s Hockey League,” O’Rourke said. “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.
from Sportsnet.ca
via i9bet
No comments:
Post a Comment