Idalski Named Inaugural Head Coach of PWHL Vancouver
6/23/2025 11:01:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Former National Coach of the Year departs after three record-setting seasons with the Huskies
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Women's Hockey Head Coach Brian Idalski has been named the first-ever head coach of Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) expansion team, PWHL Vancouver, the league/organization announced on Monday.
"We are excited for Brian and his future in the PWHL," said St. Cloud State Director of Athletics Holly Schreiner. "It is always great to have Husky connections at that level. We will immediately begin the process to fill Brian's vacant position."
"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," said Idalski. "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 2022-23 U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) National Coach of the Year departs St. Cloud after three seasons in which he helped turn the program around, bringing the Huskies back into national prominence. Under Idalski, SCSU went 50-50-9 and recorded three of its eight highest single season win totals in program history and set numerous other individual and team records.
In his debut season in 2022-23, Idalski led the Huskies to 18 wins, tying the program record for single season wins. SCSU also established a new record of 36 conference points (reset again in 2023-24 with 39), earning a point from all seven conference opponents for the first time in 13 years. The Huskies finished fifth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), its best finish since 2015-16 and first season with a .500 or better record since 2009-10. SCSU received its first national ranking since 2009 and has remained among the country's top-15 consistently ever since.
In addition to being named USCHO National coach of the year in 2022-23, he was also a CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) National Coach of the Year finalist and was named co-WCHA Coach of the Year. He was the first St. Cloud State Hockey coach – men's or women's – to be named a national coach of the year and just the second women's coach ever to earn conference honors.
In 2024-25, Idalski became just the second coach in program history to amass 50 wins and was the first to do so in three seasons or less. He also became the first coach in program history to beat Minnesota on the road (0-60-2 prior) and was just the second coach to post three consecutive 15+ win seasons.
PWHL RELEASE
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Women's Hockey, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"We are excited for Brian and his future in the PWHL," said St. Cloud State Director of Athletics Holly Schreiner. "It is always great to have Husky connections at that level. We will immediately begin the process to fill Brian's vacant position."
"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," said Idalski. "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 2022-23 U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) National Coach of the Year departs St. Cloud after three seasons in which he helped turn the program around, bringing the Huskies back into national prominence. Under Idalski, SCSU went 50-50-9 and recorded three of its eight highest single season win totals in program history and set numerous other individual and team records.
In his debut season in 2022-23, Idalski led the Huskies to 18 wins, tying the program record for single season wins. SCSU also established a new record of 36 conference points (reset again in 2023-24 with 39), earning a point from all seven conference opponents for the first time in 13 years. The Huskies finished fifth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), its best finish since 2015-16 and first season with a .500 or better record since 2009-10. SCSU received its first national ranking since 2009 and has remained among the country's top-15 consistently ever since.
In addition to being named USCHO National coach of the year in 2022-23, he was also a CCM/American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) National Coach of the Year finalist and was named co-WCHA Coach of the Year. He was the first St. Cloud State Hockey coach – men's or women's – to be named a national coach of the year and just the second women's coach ever to earn conference honors.
In 2024-25, Idalski became just the second coach in program history to amass 50 wins and was the first to do so in three seasons or less. He also became the first coach in program history to beat Minnesota on the road (0-60-2 prior) and was just the second coach to post three consecutive 15+ win seasons.
PWHL RELEASE
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Women's Hockey, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Postgame Press Conference | SCSU vs. Lindenwood (9/20/2025)
Saturday, September 20
Postgame Press Conference | SCSU vs. Lindenwood (9/19/2025)
Saturday, September 20
Coach Mira Jalosuo Introductory Press Conference - Women's Hockey
Monday, July 21
Women's Hockey Postgame Press Conference 1-31-25
Saturday, February 01
