Howie Draper out as PWHL New York's coach after one season

PWHL New York coach Howie Draper at UBS Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 in Elmont. Credit: Howard Schnapp
General Manager Pascal Daoust vowed changes were coming to PWHL New York. The team announced Saturday that it had “mutually agreed” with Howie Draper on a head coaching change.
Draper, who was hired in September 2023 to coach PWHL New York, will coach the women's hockey team at the University of Alberta and serve as a Special Advisor to PWHL in the scouting department.
Prior to taking the head coaching job with PWHL New York, Draper had coached at Alberta for 26 seasons and won 667 games.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know Howie both personally and as a coach,” Daoust said in a statement. “I’m proud to know that he’s still part of our PWHL New York family as a special advisor in our scouting department.”
New York finished the league’s inaugural season with a PWHL-worst record of 5-4-3-12. The team led the league in goals against (67) and their 53 goals scored was the worst in the PWHL, as were their 26 points.
“It was an honor to have worked alongside this outstanding group of staff and athletes,” Draper said. “I look forward to the opportunity to remain involved in the continuing growth of the program.”
Prior to New York’s 6-2 loss to Toronto at UBS Arena on April 28, Daoust told Newsday he was viewing the off-season as an opportunity to make significant changes to the team. He will meet with reporters via Zoom Monday morning to discuss the coaching change.
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