The Vancouver Goldeneyes have parted ways with head coach Brian Idalski after their inaugural PWHL season. General manager Cara Gardner Morey said the team is making a head coaching change as it evaluates the organization’s future direction.
The Vancouver Goldeneyes didn’t wait long after their first PWHL season to change course. On Monday, the team confirmed that Brian Idalski will no longer be the head coach moving forward.
Cara Gardner Morey, the Goldeneyes general manager, delivered the message in a statement as the franchise looks beyond its opening year.
“As we conclude our inaugural season and evaluate the future direction of the organization, we have made the decision to make a change at the head coaching position,” Morey said.
The statement also spelled out what Idalski was brought in to do. Morey said Idalski joined the Goldeneyes prior to the team’s first season in Vancouver. a role described as offering “unique challenges and opportunities.” She credited his “leadership and experience” with helping establish the foundation of the organization during its inaugural season.
“We thank Brian for his professionalism and commitment to the Vancouver Goldeneyes and wish him all the best moving forward,” Morey added.
Idalski arrives in Vancouver with a coaching résumé rooted in collegiate hockey. Before joining the Goldeneyes, he was head coach of the St. Cloud State University (NCAA) women’s hockey team for three seasons. His work with the Huskies earned him USCHO’s coach of the year recognition. and the season that brought that honor featured a program-record 18 wins.
With Idalski leading Vancouver in its first PWHL campaign, the Goldeneyes finished in sixth place. Their record was 9-3-4-14.
The change lands as Vancouver sets up its next phase with an unusually strong position in the upcoming draft. The Goldeneyes own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 PWHL Draft after finishing first in the team’s “Gold Plan” standings.
For a franchise still defining itself after an inaugural season, the decision to replace the head coach is a clear signal of intent: the organization isn’t just reflecting on what happened in its first year—it’s planning how it wants to show up next.
Vancouver Goldeneyes Brian Idalski PWHL head coach change Cara Gardner Morey St. Cloud State USCHO coach of the year 2026 PWHL Draft Gold Plan standings