Boston Blades introduce Paul Kennedy as new head coach

The Boston Blades have a new head coach in Paul Kennedy.

“It’s an honour to step into the role of head coach with the Boston Blades,” Kennedy said in the league’s press release. “I’m well aware of the decorated history this franchise possesses and I know there is a bright future ahead.”

He has a long resume in women’s hockey that includes time with USA Hockey as a power skating coaching and scout. Kennedy also founded the East Coast Wizards in 2003-04 as a place for players to play after college. The Wizards are now an AAA select program for youth and high school aged players, both boys and girls. He is still involved with the league.

Kennedy is the fourth coach in three season. Brian McCloskey was the head coach starting in the 2015-16 season through last season when both he and general manager Krista Patronick departed. Ahead of the 2017-18 season, Casey Brugman was named the head coach, under a new general manager, Jessica Martino. Brugman only lasted a few months as in the beginning of 2018, the team announced assistant coach Kacy Ambroz would be taking over as head coach. It is unknown if Martino is still with the team.

The Blades have had a shaky go of it since the introduction of the NWHL in 2015-16. They lost almost their entire roster. But that’s not stopping Kennedy, as the release says will play “a pivotal role in the rebuilding of the Blades franchise.”

“There is a great number of strong players and hockey minds within the community and the true task will be finding the best of each to be part of our team,” said Kennedy in the press release. “It all begins with the draft and I’m very excited to hit the ground running.”