Former Boston Fleet head coach Kris Sparre has been appointed as the head coach for the new PWHL Hamilton franchise. This announcement was made just five days after Sparre was recognized as a finalist for the PWHL’s Coach of the Year award with the Boston Fleet. In his debut season coaching in the league, Sparre led the Fleet to the second-best record (16-5-4-5) in the PWHL, marking the largest year-over-year improvement in the league’s history. Despite their strong performance, the Fleet suffered a 3-1 defeat in the Walter Cup semifinal against the Ottawa Charge.
Meghan Duggan, the general manager of PWHL Hamilton, expressed her excitement about having Kris as the inaugural head coach for the team. She highlighted his hockey expertise, leadership skills, and player development capabilities as qualities that make him a perfect fit for the role. Duggan emphasized the importance of establishing a culture and standard that players would be proud to be a part of, and she believes Kris is well-equipped to lead this effort effectively.
Prior to joining the PWHL, Kris Sparre, 39, served as an assistant coach for three seasons with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, contributing to player development for the Anaheim Ducks. He has previously coached in the OHL and professionally in Austria. Sparre, who hails from Mississauga, is pleased about the opportunity to work in Hamilton, as it brings him closer to his family, especially after the recent arrival of his second child.
Reflecting on his time with the Boston Fleet, Sparre expressed gratitude for the relationships he built and the experiences gained. He thanked Fleet GM Danielle Marmer for believing in him and offering him his first head coaching opportunity. Sparre acknowledged the support from the organization and fans in Boston, recognizing the special bond within the PWHL community.
At the end-of-season press conference for the Fleet, Marmer commended Sparre’s talent in player development and motivation. Marmer praised Sparre’s game knowledge, energy, and care for the players, emphasizing the positive environment he created within the team. Marmer will now focus on hiring Boston’s third head coach in four seasons after Sparre’s departure, following Courtney Kessel’s move to Princeton University.
Boston, along with four other PWHL teams, is currently in search of a head coach for the upcoming season. This includes expansion teams in Las Vegas and Detroit, as well as existing teams in Toronto and Seattle. Marmer expressed the team’s commitment to maintaining a team-first culture and finding a coach who shares their values to continue the growth and success on and off the ice.