Ryan, Cheverie, Kessel among PWHL coaching hires

The PWHL announced the inaugural head coaches for each of the six franchises Friday.

Toronto

Troy Ryan's been with the Canadian women's national team since 2017. After three seasons as an assistant, he took the reins as the team's head coach at the 2021 World Championships. The Spryfield, Nova Scotia native has guided Canada to Olympic gold, as well as two golds and a silver medal at the Worlds.

The 51-year-old was also an assistant coach for Canada at the men's World Championships in May, where he won another gold medal.

In August 2022, Hockey Canada announced that Ryan would remain head coach of the women's team through the 2026 Olympics in Italy.

Alongside his role as Canada's head coach, Ryan's also been at the helm of the Dalhousie University women's team since 2020. The Tigers improved from 4-17 in 2021-22 to 13-15 last season, losing in the AUS quarterfinals against the UPEI Panthers.

Toronto's general manager Gina Kingsbury oversaw Ryan's promotion to Canada's head coach in 2021 as Hockey Canada's director of hockey operations at the time.

Montreal

Kori Cheverie, 36, was an associate head coach with Team Harvey's in the PWHPA last season. She coached with Montreal general manager Daniele Sauvageau, guiding the team to the league championship.

The New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, native was set to serve as a guest coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2023-24 campaign. She previously assisted the Arizona Coyotes' staff at the team's 2022 development camp.

Cheverie's been an assistant coach with Canada's women's national team since 2021. She accumulated two World Championship titles, an Olympic gold, and a U18 championship in the role. The 36-year-old became the first woman to coach a Canadian men's national team when she was named an assistant for Canada's U18 team in 2022.

In 2016, Cheverie became the first woman hired as a full-time assistant coach in U SPORTS men's hockey history when she was added to Ryerson University's staff. She spent five seasons with the Rams.

Prior to her coaching days, Cheverie played six seasons in the CWHL with the Toronto Furies and Aeros from 2010-16. She captured the league championship in 2014 while playing alongside the likes of Tessa Bonhomme and Natalie Spooner.

Boston

Courtney Kessel has ties to one of the game's most famous hockey families. She's married to Blake Kessel, who's the brother of three-time Stanley Cup champion Phil and sister of American Olympic gold medalist Amanda.

Courtney was an assistant coach of Princeton University's women's program over the past four years but will now get to lead a Boston squad led by the esteemed Hilary Knight.

Minnesota

Charlie Burggraf spent 12 seasons as a head coach at Bethel University from 2006-2018. His first four years were with the women's program before he took over the men's side for the final eight.

He'll run the bench of a Minnesota squad that already has Kendall Coyne Schofield leading the way and also owns the first overall pick in Monday's draft.

New York

Howie Draper was a staple as the head coach of the University of Alberta women's hockey team for 25 years from 1997-2022, winning a record eight national championships.

He'll guide a New York team led by Alex Carpenter, Abby Roque, and Micah Zandee-Hart.

Ottawa

Carla MacLeod's prolific playing career included Olympic gold medals in 2006 and 2010 with Canada. She's helped grow the game internationally as a coach, serving as an assistant coach for Japan's national team from 2011-2014 and as head coach for Czechia over the last two seasons.

MacLeod will have the honor of coaching a club led by the trio of Emily Clark, Brianne Jenner, and Emerance Maschmeyer.