PWHL Seattle hires Steve O’Rourke as first head coach
One of the PWHL’s newest teams has its bench boss.
On Friday, Seattle announced that the team has hired Steve O’Rourke to become the first head coach in franchise history.
O’Rourke says the chance to work in the PWHL has been on his mind since the league was 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,” O’Rourke said in a release. “The passion and support for hockey here is real, and I’m proud to now be part of it in a new way. To have the opportunity to help shape the Seattle team alongside Meghan Turner and the players is something I don’t take for granted. It’s an exciting challenge, and I’m looking forward to building something special with this group.”
O’Rourke comes to the women’s game after spending over two seasons with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. He spent the first two years as an associate coach and took over head coaching duties last summer. However, he was fired on Dec. 8, despite being in the first season of a three-year contract and the team sitting second in the Western Conference.
General manager Brad Hunt stated that there were too many philosophical differences to overcome, leading to O’Rourke’s dismissal.
Along with working with the Generals, the Summerland, British Columbia native also worked in the Western Hockey League, serving as assistant coach for the Red Deer Rebels for three years, as well as serving as an associate with the Prince George Cougars for three seasons before becoming the teams director of player personnel.
General manager Meghan Turner likes what O’Rourke’s resume could bring to the league.
“He brings a great hockey mind, a clear vision for the game,” Turner said. “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.”
Along with his coaching career, O’Rourke, a former draft pick of the New York Islanders, played professionally in the ECHL, the United Hockey League and in England.