Former Boston Fleet head coach Kris Sparre will be the head coach of the new PWHL Hamilton franchise.
The announcement came on Wednesday, just five days after Sparre was named a finalist for the PWHL’s Coach of the Year award with the Boston Fleet.
In his first season coaching in the league, Sparre guided the Fleet to the second-best record (16-5-4-5) in the PWHL, which was the biggest year-over-year improvement in the league’s history.
The Fleet lost in the Walter Cup semifinal to the Ottawa Charge, 3-1.
“I’m thrilled to have Kris as the first head coach in PWHL Hamilton history, bringing a combination of hockey knowledge, leadership, and player development expertise that make him an ideal fit,” PWHL Hamilton general manager Meghan Duggan said in a statement.
“I wanted someone who aligns with my core values and can establish a culture and standard that players will want to be a part of, as we forge the foundation and shape the identity of PWHL Hamilton. I believe Kris is the right person to help lead this, with a strong understanding of what it takes to build an environment where players can thrive individually while competing as a team.”
PWHL Hamilton expansion announcement
Before joining the PWHL, 39-year-old Sparre spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, where he helped develop players for the Anaheim Ducks. He’s also coached in the OHL and professionally in Austria.
Prior to that, he played professionally in Germany and in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
The move brings the Mississauga-born Sparre, whose wife gave birth to their second child just last month, closer to home.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to build a foundation in Hamilton alongside Meghan, and moving closer to home and being near family makes this the right step for me personally and professionally,” Sparre said.
“I’ll always be thankful for my time in Boston and the relationships built along the way. I’m incredibly grateful to [Fleet GM] Danielle Marmer for believing in me and giving me my first opportunity as a head coach with the Fleet, and to the staff and players for their commitment and passion that truly made it a privilege. The entire organization and fans in Boston showed me just how special it is to be a part of the PWHL community, and I’ll carry those memories and experiences with me as I begin this next chapter.”
At the Fleet’s end-of-season press conference, Marmer praised Sparre’s ability to develop players and get the best out of them.
“It’s his experience, but I also think it’s his knowledge of the game,” Marmer said. “And then it’s the charisma and the energy level, and what coming to the rink every day looks like. It’s fun. He pushes them, but they want to work hard because there’s a real level of care for the players, and getting to know the players and wanting this to be a fun experience.”
Marmer will be tasked this summer with hiring Boston’s third head coach in four seasons. Former head coach Courtney Kessel left after two seasons to accept the same job with Princeton University.
The GM said on Wednesday that the team “hoped to continue building” with Sparre, but understood his desire to be closer to family.
“While transitions are never easy, they also create an opportunity to grow and expand on what’s been built over the past three seasons,” Marmer wrote in a statement. “As the Fleet, we have always a championed a team-first culture and remain dedicated to building a team this city can be proud of. We are deeply committed to hiring a head coach who not only shares our values but will continue to elevate our team on and off the ice.”
Boston is one of five PWHL teams looking for a head coach ahead of next season, joining expansion teams in Las Vegas and Detroit, as well as existing teams in Toronto and Seattle.
