PWHL Vancouver name Brian Idalski as first head coach
PWHL Vancouver continued to put the building blocks in place ahead of their inaugural PWHL season on Monday, naming Brian Idalski as the club’s first-ever head coach.
Idalski heads to Vancouver from the NCAA, where he spent the last three seasons coaching St. Cloud State. Prior to that, he also spent time leading the University of North Dakota women’s hockey program from 2007-2017, after starting his career in women’s hockey in 2001 as a head coach at a DII school, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
In addition to his time coaching collegiately, Idalski has also spent time overseas. He coached the Chinese franchise, KRS Vanke Rays in the Russian ZhHL and was the bench boss for the Chinese national team at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.
Through those overseas experiences, he won two titles and crossed paths with former Team China, now Vancouver forward Hannah Miller, as well as Michela Cava, who played two seasons with the Vanke Rays.
In 2022-23, he earned the USCHO Coach of the Year, leading St. Cloud State to a program-record 18 wins.
“Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,” said Cara Gardner Morey, PWHL Vancouver General Manager, in a release.
“What stands out in Brian’s experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders. I’m excited that he will lead our incredible group in Vancouver and can’t wait to see his vision and influence shape our foundation.”
With their coach secured and 18 players already signed for the first season, PWHL Vancouver continues to look ahead to puck drop in the fall, with games set to be played at the historic Pacific Coliseum in the first eight-team season of the PWHL.
“The PWHL has had a huge impact on the global game, and to be a part of that – with expansion helping push it even further forward – is an unbelievable feeling,” Idalski said. “The team that Cara has assembled is fantastic and I embrace the challenge that comes with our high expectations.”