Latest news with #StCloudState
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
‘Dream come true': PWHL drafts local hockey player
A hockey player from Spirit River is going pro after being selected in the PWHL draft this week. CTV News Edmonton's Evan Kenny reports. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual 'Think of me as a little girl who has had everything she ever wanted.' Dayle Ross answered the interviewer on Tuesday night in Ottawa with tears in her eyes, elated from being drafted 25th overall to the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). The 22-year-old defender from Spirit River in northeast Alberta was drafted first pick in the fourth round by the New York Sirens. 'To play with these players now is going to be amazing,' she told media later, once the news had sunk in. 'They're going to make me that much better.' Ross thanked her supporters back in her hometown who she said watched the draft on a big projector screen. She came to the draft with her parents, her boyfriend and some friends. Dayle Ross drafted to the PWHL (Source: TSN) Dayle Ross was drafted 25th overall to the PWHL by the New York Sirens on June 25, 2025. (Source: TSN) This past season she played for St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, U. S.. She was named co-captain in her final National Collegiate Athletic Association season. Her stats on screen at the draft announcement read 40 points and 269 blocks in 142 games with St. Cloud State. 'I'm not very flashy or score lots (of) goals, but I do one job really well and defend,' she described about her game-style. 'I think shutting down some of those players and trying to defend well and blocking shots are my specialty,' she added. 'You might be seeing me block a couple shots in the (penalty kill).' National Tournament in 2019 (Supplied) Dayle Ross in team photo at the National Tournament in 2019. (Supplied) Ross finished playing in the minor hockey league closer to home in St. Albert. Her coach at the time, Dan Auchenberg, was not surprised she is moving to the professional league. 'She's a great team player and she'll do whatever it takes to win,' he said, remembering her determination during a semifinals game against the Saskatoon Stars where she 'busted down the wing' and shot from the corner to score a tying 1-1 goal. 'She actually caused that one break by just her assertiveness and determination and put the puck to the net,' he recalled. The team would go on to win 2-1 in overtime. And it was that winning spirit and drive that moved Auchenberg as a coach. '(She) was committed to getting better and very excited to get to the next year and the following year … and growing,' he said. 'She just inspired you to coach.' That strength was also highlighted this past year where she played through the whole season with a torn ACL injury. She opted to wait until the post-season to get surgery and spend the summer recovering - but not staying idle. 'It's all about getting that strength back. I'm doing a lot of skill work, so stickhandling (and) anything I can that's within my control I can do,' Ross said. Dayle Ross drafted to the PWHL (Source: TSN) Dayle Ross speaks to a reporter after being drafted to the PWHL on June 25, 2025. (Source: TSN) She was one of 17 Canadians and two Albertans drafted to the PWHL on Tuesday. 'I just want to thank the PWHL for everything,' Ross said after the draft, still emotional from the news. 'It's a dream come true.' Her former coach says Ross is proof that hard work can pay off in the sport. 'It doesn't matter where you are, you can play the game,' Auchenberg said, hoping other players will be inspired by Ross. 'You can get there somehow.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Evan Kenney
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
St. Cloud State's Brian Idalski hired as first coach of PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver
Brian Idalski is leaving St. Cloud State after being hired as coach of the PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver, the league announced Monday. The 54-year-old has more than 20 years of women's hockey coaching experience, including overseeing China's national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Idalski also coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two Russian-women's league ZhHL championships over a three-year period. Advertisement Vancouver's inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players, Michela Cava and Hannah Miller, who also played for China in 2022. Idalski's hiring comes a day before the PWHL draft. Vancouver will select seventh followed by Seattle, with the expansion teams switching the final two spots in each successive round of the six-round draft. 'Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. 'What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders.' From Warren, Michigan, Idalski spent the past three seasons at St. Cloud State, where he earned college hockey coach of the year honors in 2023 after the team tied a school record with 18 wins. His teams have combined for five NCAA Tournament appearances, with previous stops at North Dakota and Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 'I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent,' Idalski said. Seattle filled its coaching position by hiring Steve O'Rourke last week. ___ AP women's hockey: John Wawrow, The Associated Press
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
PWHL Vancouver names Brian Idalski first-ever head coach
PWHL Vancouver has named Brian Idalski as its first-ever head coach ahead of its inaugural season, the team announced Monday. 'Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' PWHL Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey said in a release. 'What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders. I'm excited that he will lead our incredible group in Vancouver and can't wait to see his vision and influence shape our foundation.' A PRESENCE on the bench 💪 Brian Idalski has been named the first Head Coach in team history! He brings 20 years of experience to the helm, most recently from St. Cloud State University women's hockey program. 📰 — PWHL Vancouver (@PWHL__Vancouver) June 23, 2025 Idalski was head coach of the St. Cloud State Huskies women's hockey team the past three seasons. He previously coached at the University of North Dakota for 10 seasons and the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point for five. He also coached the Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays to two ZhHL championships and was head coach of the Chinese National Women's Team for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Advertisement 'I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to join an organization and city like Vancouver and want to thank Cara and the league for their trust and belief in me,' Idalski said. 'The PWHL has had a huge impact on the global game, and to be a part of that — with expansion helping push it even further forward — is an unbelievable feeling. I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent. The team that Cara has assembled is fantastic and I embrace the challenge that comes with our high expectations.' The PWHL, which launched in January 2024 with six teams, recently announced its expansion to Seattle and Vancouver and held its expansion draft on June 9. PWHL Vancouver will debut this fall at Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the WHL's Vancouver Giants and the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. The 2025 PWHL Draft is set for Tuesday in Ottawa. (Photo of Brian Idalski at the 2022 Olympics: Xavier Laine / Getty Images)
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
St. Cloud State's Brian Idalski hired as first coach of PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver
Brian Idalski is leaving St. Cloud State after being hired as coach of the PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver, the league announced Monday. The 54-year-old has more than 20 years of women's hockey coaching experience, including overseeing China's national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Idalski also coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two Russian-women's league ZhHL championships over a three-year period. Vancouver's inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players, Michela Cava and Hannah Miller , who also played for China in 2022. Idalski's hiring comes a day before the PWHL draft. Vancouver will select seventh followed by Seattle, with the expansion teams switching the final two spots in each successive round of the six-round draft. 'Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. 'What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders.' From Warren, Michigan, Idalski spent the past three seasons at St. Cloud State, where he earned college hockey coach of the year honors in 2023 after the team tied a school record with 18 wins. His teams have combined for five NCAA Tournament appearances, with previous stops at North Dakota and Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 'I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent,' Idalski said. Seattle filled its coaching position by hiring Steve O'Rourke last week . ___ AP women's hockey:
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
St. Cloud State's Brian Idalski hired as first coach of PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver
Brian Idalski is leaving St. Cloud State after being hired as coach of the PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver, the league announced Monday. The 54-year-old has more than 20 years of women's hockey coaching experience, including overseeing China's national team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Idalski also coached the KRS Vanke Rays to two Russian-women's league ZhHL championships over a three-year period. Vancouver's inaugural roster includes former Vanke Rays players, Michela Cava and Hannah Miller, who also played for China in 2022. Idalski's hiring comes a day before the PWHL draft. Vancouver will select seventh followed by Seattle, with the expansion teams switching the final two spots in each successive round of the six-round draft. 'Brian is a proven winner who knows our sport, the players, and has coached at the highest levels,' general manager Cara Gardner Morey said. 'What stands out in Brian's experience is his ability to build and transform the programs he is a part of, from his work in professional leagues, at the Olympics, and turning collegiate teams into nationally ranked contenders.' From Warren, Michigan, Idalski spent the past three seasons at St. Cloud State, where he earned college hockey coach of the year honors in 2023 after the team tied a school record with 18 wins. His teams have combined for five NCAA Tournament appearances, with previous stops at North Dakota and Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 'I've been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league's world-class talent,' Idalski said. Seattle filled its coaching position by hiring Steve O'Rourke last week. ___ AP women's hockey:
