Brian Idalski: PWHL Vancouver’s First Coach
- Brian Idalski,54,is the new coach of Vancouver's Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) expansion team.
- Idalski brings more than 20 years of women's hockey coaching experience to Vancouver, including leading China's national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
- Vancouver's inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players Michela Cava and Hannah Miller, both of whom also played for China in 2022.
Brian Idalski is the new coach for the Vancouver PWHL team! Vancouver’s expansion team welcomes Idalski, who brings over 20 years of women’s hockey coaching experience to the forefront.Idalski previously led China’s national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two ZhHL championships.Vancouver will select seventh in the upcoming PWHL draft, setting the stage for their inaugural season. Cara Gardner-Morey, Vancouver’s general manager, highlighted Idalski’s proven track record of building successful programs. Learn more about this exciting development at News Directory 3. Get ready as Idalski prepares for the draft and building Vancouver’s team. discover what’s next.
Brian Idalski Named Vancouver PWHL Coach
Updated June 24,2025
Brian Idalski,54,is the new coach of Vancouver’s Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) expansion team. The league made the proclamation Monday. Idalski departs St. Cloud State after three seasons.
Idalski brings more than 20 years of women’s hockey coaching experience to Vancouver, including leading China’s national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. He also coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two ZhHL championships in the Russian women’s league.
Vancouver’s inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players Michela Cava and Hannah Miller, both of whom also played for China in 2022. The PWHL draft is Tuesday. Vancouver will select seventh, followed by Seattle. the expansion teams will alternate the final two picks in each round of the six-round draft.
“Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,” said Cara Gardner morey, Vancouver’s general manager. She added that Idalski’s ability to build and transform programs,from professional leagues to the Olympics and collegiate teams,stood out.
A native of Warren, MI, Idalski lead St. Cloud State to a school-record-tying 18 wins in 2023, earning him college hockey coach of the year honors. His teams have made five NCAA tournament appearances, with previous coaching stops at North Dakota and Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
“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,” Idalski said.
Seattle recently named Steve O’Rourke as its coach.
What’s next
Idalski will immediately begin preparing for the PWHL draft and building Vancouver’s team for its inaugural season. The team aims to be a contender in the league.