The 2026 PWHL Coach of the Year award finalists have been announced, featuring Montreal's Kori Cheverie, Ottawa's Carla MacLeod, and Boston's Kris Sparre. This esteemed award celebrates the coach who has most significantly influenced their team's performance and success during the regular season. The selection committee has made its choices, and the highly anticipated winner will be revealed on June 16 in Detroit.
Kori Cheverie Leads Prestigious Coach of the Year Finalists
On Friday, May 22, 2026, the PWHL announced the finalists for its coveted Coach of the Year award: Kori Cheverie of Montreal, Carla MacLeod representing Ottawa, and Kris Sparre from Boston. This distinguished honor is bestowed upon the coach whose strategic brilliance and leadership most profoundly shaped their team's on-ice achievements throughout the regular season. The winner, selected by a dedicated committee, will be celebrated during a special ceremony in Detroit on June 16.
Kori Cheverie masterminded the Victoire's dominant performance, guiding them to a first-place finish with a league-record 22 victories, including 16 in regulation, and an impressive .844 winning percentage at home. Carla MacLeod's Charge demonstrated remarkable resilience, leading the league with five come-from-behind victories when trailing after the second period. Meanwhile, Kris Sparre orchestrated a dramatic turnaround for the Fleet, securing six additional wins and accumulating 18 more points compared to the previous season, showcasing significant improvement. All three coaching masterminds successfully led their respective teams into the playoffs, with Montreal ultimately triumphing over Ottawa with a 3-1 series victory to claim the PWHL Walter Cup championship. This marks Cheverie's second consecutive nomination, having won the award last season over fellow finalists MacLeod and Toronto's Troy Ryan, further cementing her reputation as an elite coach in the league.
The nomination of these three exceptional coaches for the PWHL Coach of the Year award underscores the profound impact of strategic leadership and player development in professional sports. It highlights that behind every successful team lies a visionary coach capable of inspiring, motivating, and guiding athletes to their fullest potential. Their achievements serve as a testament to the dedication and hard work invested in fostering a winning culture and elevating the standard of play in women's hockey, providing valuable lessons for aspiring leaders and sports enthusiasts alike.
