PWHL Vancouver Announces Brian Idalski as Head Coach

On Monday, PWHL Vancouver announced the newest member of their leadership team, head coach Brian Idalski. He is the first head coach in team history.

Idalski brings 20 years of coaching experience to the team. Most recently, he coached the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) NCAA Women's Hockey team for the last three seasons. During his tenure, he helped to bring the program back to national prominence and was named the 2022-2023 U.S. College Hockey Online National Coach of the Year. Idalski was the first SCSU coach to win 50 games in three seasons or less.

He also spent 10 years coaching at the University of North Dakota and five seasons with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In total, he won over 325 games at the collegiate level and led his teams to five NCAA tournament appearances.

"Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest level," PWHL Vancouver GM Cara Gardner Morey said in the release.

Before coaching in the NCAA, Idalski coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two ZhHL titles. Recent PWHL signings Hannah Miller and Michaela Cava played for him during this time. He also coached the Chinese Women's National Team at the Olympics in 2022.

"What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he's a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders," Gardner Morey added.

The announcement comes one day before the 2025 PWHL Entry Draft, where Vancouver will select seventh overall.

"The team that Cara has assembled is fantastic, and I embrace the challenge that comes with our high expectations," Idalski said.

The other expansion team, PWHL Seattle, announced its new head coach, Steve O'Rourke, last week.