The newly formed PWHL Detroit expansion franchise has announced the hiring of Josh Sciba to serve as the first head coach in club history on Thursday.
A Westland, MI native, Sciba has spent two seasons in New York with the Sirens, serving as an assistant coach for their PWHL franchise. He was also an assistant on the gold medal winning U.S. women’s national team at the most recent Winter Games in Italy.
“Josh is a highly respected coach with a knowledge of the game and experience at all levels of women’s hockey that set him apart, and his passion for teaching and individual character are qualities I value in a leader,” said Manon Rhéaume, PWHL Detroit General Manager. “Hockeytown is in his blood, and this is an opportunity I know he is eager to embrace with an understanding of what it means to represent this city and be part of its legacy.”
Sciba is the second major hire this month by Detroit after previously naming trailblazer Manon Rhéaume as the team’s inaugural general manager. He was a former NCAA hockey player himself, having played 4 seasons with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and will now return to coach his hometown team at Little Caesars Arena this fall.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to become the Head Coach of PWHL Detroit and beyond grateful for the trust placed in me to help lead the organization from the beginning,” said Sciba. “This is home and especially meaningful for me and my entire family, knowing Detroit’s rich hockey history and identity firsthand and how much the women’s hockey community has been yearning for this moment. Working alongside Manon, someone who has meant so much to the growth of the sport, is a journey I’m so fortunate to be on, with her passion, leadership, and vision that will make Detroit a destination for players. I also want to sincerely thank the New York Sirens, Pascal Daoust, Greg Fargo, and the players for believing in me and allowing me an opportunity to teach and grow as a coach. I’ll always be grateful to the people I had a chance to collaborate with and appreciative of the relationships and experiences in my first two PWHL seasons. I look forward to this next chapter and to building something special in Detroit.”
Detroit will now turn their attention to rounding out the rest of their coaching staff, before navigating both the expansion draft and PWHL entry draft process later this summer.
Photo: PWHL