PWHL Vancouver announced Monday that Brian Idalski has been named the franchise's first-ever head coach.
Idalski has been head coach of the St. Cloud State University (NCAA) women's hockey team for the past three seasons and comes to Vancouver with over 20 years of experience. He was named USCHO's coach of the year while leading the Huskies to a program-record 18 wins in a season.
"Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels," PWHL Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. "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."
In his career, the newly named head coach has won 325 games across 18 seasons behind the bench.
Idalski has spent time at St. Cloud State, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point, leading his teams to five NCAA Tournament appearances.
Idalski has also coached overseas for the KRS Vanke Rays in Shenzhen, China, where he won two Zhenskaya Hockey League titles in three years, and worked with recent PWHL Vancouver acquisitions Michela Cava and Hannah Miller.
He was also head coach of the China's women's hockey team at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, a team that also included Miller.
"The PWHL has had a huge impact on the global game, and to be a part of that ... is an unbelievable feeling," Idalski said. "I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent."
--with files from The Canadian Press
