Courtney Kessel Appointed Head Coach of Princeton Women’s Hockey
Courtney Kessel has been appointed as the new head coach for the Princeton women’s hockey team, marking her transition from the Massachusetts-based Boston Fleet in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
Previous Experience and Achievements
Kessel led the Fleet for two seasons, achieving a commendable record of 27 wins, 19 losses, and 8 ties. Her tenure culminated in a notable appearance in the Walter Cup Finals in 2024, although the Fleet fell to Minnesota in a hard-fought Game 5.
This new role at Princeton follows Kessel’s previous experience as an assistant coach with the Tigers from 2019 to 2023, where she worked under head coach Cara Gardner Morey. Following Gardner Morey’s departure earlier this year to become the general manager for a new PWHL team in Vancouver, Princeton sought Kessel to fill the void left by her mentor.
Kessel’s Reflections on the Transition
Reflecting on her new opportunity, the 35-year-old Kessel expressed a mixture of emotions about departing from the Boston organization, remarking, “It is bittersweet to move on from the Boston Fleet and the amazing people building that organization and the PWHL as a whole. This opportunity was the only one that could draw me away from where I was.”
Impressive Background and Contributions
Kessel has a remarkable background, including a playing career at the University of New Hampshire, where she was a finalist for the esteemed Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2010. She has also achieved international recognition, having represented Canada in three world championships and boasting a gold medal from the 2012 event. On the coaching front, she has made her mark with Hockey Canada, serving as an assistant with the senior team in 2024 and leading the Under-18 team to a championship victory in 2023.
Fleet Organization Changes
The Fleet organization is currently navigating significant changes this offseason, including the departure of star player Hilary Knight, who has signed with Seattle’s new PWHL expansion team. Additionally, there is an open position for an assistant general manager after Meghan Turner transitioned to a general manager role in Seattle.
Fleet general manager Danielle Marmer praised Kessel’s impact on the team, stating,
“Courtney set the tone from Day 1 and elevated our group with her competitiveness, preparation, and care. She’s already established herself as an elite coach early in her career, and I know she’ll continue to raise the bar as the next head coach at Princeton.”
