PWHL New York is changing coaches after , who decided to step down and return to his former job coaching the University of Alberta women鈥檚 hockey program, the league announced Saturday.
The move comes a week after the Professional Women鈥檚 Hockey League closed its inaugural season with New York finishing last in the six-team standings with a 9-12-3 record.
As part of the agreement, Draper will remain involved with New York in a special advisory role with the scouting department. He returns to an Alberta program where Draper spent 26 seasons and holds the Canadian university women鈥檚 hockey record with 667 career coaching wins.
This marks the league鈥檚 second coaching change after for his decision to step down from his job with Minnesota in late December, less than a week before the start of the season. He was replaced by former NHL defenceman and former U.S. women鈥檚 national team coach Ken Klee.
鈥淚鈥檝e been blessed to have been a part of PWHL New York this past season,鈥� Draper said in a statement. 鈥淚t was an honour to have worked alongside this outstanding group of staff and athletes. I look forward to the opportunity to remain involved in the continuing growth of the program.鈥�
New York won the PWHL鈥檚 inaugural game with , and opened the season 6-4-1 before going on an 0-5-2 skid. The team was eliminated from playoff contention with three games left in its season.
鈥淲e are grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know Howie both personally and as a coach,鈥� New York general manager Pascal Daoust said. 鈥淗is contributions will forever be a part of this team鈥檚 foundation, and I feel privileged to have worked alongside him.鈥�
New York also faced adversity in having difficulty finding a home and generating support in the tri-state area. After splitting home games between Bridgeport, Connecticut, and the New York Islanders鈥� home in Elmont, N.Y., the team closed its season with two games at the New Jersey Devils鈥� home in Newark, N.J.
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AP Women鈥檚 Hockey:
John Wawrow, The Associated Press
