Kris Sparre Named PWHL Hamilton’s First Head Coach
Kris Sparre was named the first head coach of the expansion PWHL Hamilton franchise on Wednesday, giving the club its first major staffing move ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 39-year-old arrives after one season with the Boston Fleet, where he helped drive the biggest year-over-year improvement in league history.
Hamilton Adds Sparre
PWHL Hamilton general manager Meghan Duggan said she was thrilled to have Sparre as the first head coach in franchise history, and she pointed to his hockey knowledge, leadership, and player development expertise. Duggan also said she wanted a coach who aligns with her core values and can establish the culture and standard for the team.
Sparre said he is excited to build a foundation in Hamilton alongside Duggan. He added that moving closer to home and being near family makes the job the right step for him personally and professionally.
Boston’s 44-to-62 Jump
The hiring follows a sharp rise in Boston. The Fleet finished fifth in the PWHL in the 2024-25 season with 44 points, then improved to second with 62 points under Sparre. That jump made him a finalist for the PWHL Coach of the Year award last season.
It also came after 10 years in professional coaching, with stops at the Niagara IceDogs, EC Salzburg, the Flint Firebirds, and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. Duggan is bringing that background into a start-from-scratch job, and Hamilton now has its first coach in place as it prepares to join a league that is expanding by four teams.
Four New Teams
Hamilton is one of four expansion teams set to enter the PWHL in the 2026-27 season, alongside clubs in San Jose, Las Vegas, and Detroit. Sparre thanked Danielle Marmer for giving him his first head-coaching opportunity with the Fleet and said he will always be thankful for his time in Boston and the relationships built there.
He also said he looks forward to helping lead a new team that Hamilton can be proud of. For a franchise still defining its identity, the coach choice is the first clear step in that direction.
