Boston Fleet name Kris Sparre as new head coach

The Boston Fleet announced Wednesday that Kris Sparre has been named the second head coach in franchise history.

Sparre has coached for nearly a decade, spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach for the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks’ top minor-league affiliate.

“I’m honored and thrilled to be named the head coach of the Boston Fleet,” said Sparre in a team press release. “This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a league that has experienced remarkable growth and momentum in recent seasons. Boston stands as one of the premier sports cities in the world, and I look forward to building a program that is capable of contending for a championship every season.”

Fleet General Manager Danielle Marmer says Sparre’s experience in the AHL is what makes him such a strong fit for Boston.

“(AHL) coaches are constantly balancing the need to win now with the responsibility of developing players — a challenge that mirrors what we face in the PWHL,” Marmer said in a team statement. “Our players need to grow and perform in real time, and Kris understands how to create that environment. He brings clarity, structure, and a deep commitment to helping players succeed.

“Just as importantly, he’s known as a relationship-driven coach and an elite communicator — someone who builds trust, connects with players, and brings energy and purpose to the rink every day,” Marmer continued. “We’re thrilled to have him leading our team.”

Before joining the Gulls, Sparre was an associate coach with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL in 2021-22, helping the team finish with a 42-21-1-4 record and a Western Conference Final appearance. He also spent two seasons as an assistant coach with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria’s top professional league from 2019-21. He first started coaching in 2016, spending three seasons as an assistant with the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs.