When The PWHL Expands, Here's A Look At The Top Women Who Could Step In As Head Coaches

TL;DR

The PWHL currently has only two women as head coaches, with the majority of roles held by men. Despite this, there are many qualified women who could potentially step into coaching positions, though pay disparities may hinder their involvement.

Key points

PWHL has only two women head coaches
Majority of head coaching roles are held by men
Qualified women available for coaching positions
Pay disparities affect women's coaching opportunities
NCAA coaches earn significantly more than PWHL coaches

Mentioned in this story

Kori CheverieCarla MacLeodCourtney KesselNadine MuzzerallLaura SchulerKatie Crowley

Montreal VictoireOttawa Charge

The PWHL has elevated women in hockey at every level, except coaching. The league still is dominated by men behind the bench with six of eight head coaching roles controlled by men. The only teams in the PWHL with women in the head coaching role are the Montreal Victoire with Kori Cheverie, and Ottawa Charge with Carla MacLeod.

While the league has chosen to predominantly select men to lead their teams, there remains an abundance of qualified and capable women who could step in and lead PWHL teams.

One barrier that will keep some women from the league, and see others like former Boston Fleet head coach Courtney Kessel leave the league, is pay. Many of the NCAA's top coaches, like Ohio State's Nadine Muzzerall, make more by a significant margin coaching in the NCAA. There are other long term coaches who could all take PWHL jobs like Laura Schuler and Katie Crowley who could take jobs, but getting them to leave their programs is the other issue.

Jessica Campbell is the first and only woman on an NHL bench, and she's not likely to move to the PWHL, although she'd instantly be tabbed for a head coaching role if she wanted to make the shift.

As conditions for players and coaches continue to improve in the PWHL however, expect that to change, and for the league to attract not only the best players, but the best staff as well.

This season PWHL teams hired three new head coaches in Boston's Kris Sparre, Seattle's Steven O'Rourke, and Vancouver's Brian Idalski. All three were hired by women in their team's general manager positions. With as many as four new teams set to join the PWHL in 2026-27, there will be coaching opportunities available across the league.

Here's a look at some of the women who could be coaching candidates for the league in the next round of expansion.

Internal PWHL Coaching Picks

Haley Irwin - Long time Canadian national team star, Irwin had four seasons of U SPORTS experience as an assistant with Toronto Metropolitan University before joining the Ottawa Charge as an assistant. Now three seasons into her tenure, Irwin got on the job training taking over from Ottawa head coach Carla MacLeod down the stretch as MacLeod continued cancer treatments.

Caroline Ouellette - Hockey Hall of Fame member has two seasons of experience as an assistant with the Montreal Victoire, was an assistant for Canada at the Olympics and World Championships, and a decade of coaching experience with Concordia prior to moving to the PWHL. She's ready.

Q&A

Who are the current women head coaches in the PWHL?

The current women head coaches in the PWHL are Kori Cheverie of the Montreal Victoire and Carla MacLeod of the Ottawa Charge.

What challenges do women face in becoming head coaches in the PWHL?

Women face challenges such as pay disparities compared to NCAA coaching positions, which may deter them from pursuing head coaching roles in the PWHL.

Which qualified women could potentially become head coaches in the PWHL?

Qualified candidates include NCAA coaches like Nadine Muzzerall, Laura Schuler, and Katie Crowley, among others.

How many head coaching roles are currently held by men in the PWHL?

Six of the eight head coaching roles in the PWHL are currently held by men.