The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has announced the appointment of Brian Idalski as the new coach for the league’s expansion team in Vancouver. Idalski, a seasoned coach with over two decades of experience in women’s hockey, is set to take the helm following his recent tenure at St. Cloud State University. His extensive coaching background includes a notable stint leading China’s national women’s team during the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing. Additionally, Idalski boasts a successful run with the KRS Vanke Rays, where he guided the team to two ZhHL championships over a three-year period in Russia’s women’s league.
Vancouver’s initial roster is highlighted by the presence of former Vanke Rays players, Michela Cava and Hannah Miller, who were also part of China’s team in the 2022 Olympics. The expansion of the PWHL brings with it a highly anticipated draft, with Vancouver set to make the seventh selection, followed by another new team, Seattle, as the expansion sides rotate to close the selection in each round of the six-round draft.
Cara Gardner Morey, Vancouver’s general manager, expressed her enthusiasm about Idalski’s appointment, stating, “Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels. His vast experience in building and transforming teams across professional leagues, the Olympics, and collegiate ranks makes him uniquely qualified for this role.”
Hailing from Warren, Michigan, Idalski built an impressive track record over the past three seasons at St. Cloud State. He earned the college hockey coach of the year accolade in 2023 after leading the team to an 18-win season, tying their school record. Idalski’s storied career also includes leading teams to five NCAA Tournament appearances, with previous coaching positions at North Dakota and Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Reflecting on his new role, Idalski remarked, “I’ve been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or competing against them, and this position brings my journey full circle with a strong motivation to work with the league’s world-class talent.” Meanwhile, Seattle recently announced the hiring of Steve O’Rourke to fill their coaching post.