The new PWHL Hamilton expansion franchise has announced the hiring of Kris Sparre as the club’s first head coach on Wednesday afternoon.
Sparre, who spent the 2025-26 season with the Boston Fleet, was named a finalist for PWHL coach of the year this past season, and will bring veteran leadership to the bench for the yet to be named team. A native of Mississauga, ON, Sparre went 16-5-4-5 in his first season with Boston, notching a 6 win improvement over 2024-25.
With 62 points, the Fleet finished tied with Montreal, but were seeded 2nd on tie breakers heading into the postseason. That point total will go down as the co-record for most points in a single regular season in league history.
“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,” said Meghan Duggan, PWHL Hamilton General Manager. “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.”
The 39 year old is a former high level player, who played in the OHL, ECHL, and in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, which is Germany’s top level of competition. After retiring, he had stints with the Niagara Ice Dogs of the Ontario Hockey League, Flint Firebirds (OHL), San Diego Gulls (AHL), and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
“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,” said Sparre. “I’ll always be thankful for my time in Boston and the relationships built along the way. I’m incredibly grateful to 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. I look forward to helping lead a new team that Hamilton can be proud of.”
PWHL Hamilton will now turn their attention to rounding out the rest of the team’s coaching staff and front office, before preparing for the upcoming PWHL entry draft, and expansion draft later this summer.
Photo: PWHL