PWHL Boston Adds Three Newcomers to Coaching Staff

PWHL Boston announced Monday the hiring of three new faces for their coaching staff heading into season two. 

First is Courtney Kennedy, who joins the team as a skills coach after spending the last 17 seasons as an associate head coach for the Boston College Eagles. A local of the area, Kennedy originally is from Woburn, Mass, and before her time behind the bench in Chestnut Hill, played both collegiately at Colby College and the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she was a member of Team USA at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics as a player, and was an assistant coach during the most recent games in 2022. 

During her time at BC, Kennedy focused mainly on special teams and the defensive core, and was key in the development of many players, including current Boston defender Megan Keller, and the team’s recent first-round pick Hannah Bilka who played four seasons at BC. The Eagles saw a heap of success during Kennedy’s time with the program, including three Hockey East titles, six Frozen Four appearances, and one National Title game appearance in 2016. 

“Courtney has mentored some of the top athletes in our sport,” said PWHL Boston general manager Danielle Marmer. “Her experience with elite players at the highest levels will undoubtedly be an asset to our coaching staff.”  

Next is the team’s new video coach, Shawn Roche, who comes to Boston after spending the last six seasons with the Quinnipiac Men’s program as their video coach and director of hockey operations.

Outside of his time with the 2023 NCAA-Champion Bobcats, Roche has worked with USA Hockey in various positions, including at the 2023 World Junior Championships where the men’s team took home the bronze. This is not Roche’s first professional job either, as from 2016-18 he worked for the New York Rangers (NHL) as video coordinator and assistant video coach. 

“Shawn’s wealth of expertise will be a valuable addition to PWHL Boston,” said Marmer on the hiring.“We eagerly anticipate integrating his elite skill set into our coaching staff.” 

Boston’s final addition also calls Massachusetts home – now-goaltending coach Lenny Mosca, from Ludlow. Mosca has spent the last two seasons with the UMass Dartmouth Men’s team as their goaltending coach, as well as spending time working as the director of MassCrease Goaltending School. As Director, Mosca focused on building curriculums among other helpful skill based additions for the various goaltenders who attend the school. 

Outside of his time with Dartmouth and MassCrease, Mosca has worked for Massachusetts Hockey as a talent evaluator, and has worked at various high schools and universities in the goaltending coach position since 2009. 

“I’m honored to join the staff of PWHL Boston. It’s an exciting opportunity to be a part of an incredible organization,” said Mosca. “I’m looking forward to the start of the season and leading the goaltenders through a successful year.”   

PWHL Boston finished the regular season 8-4-3-9, in third place in the standings before the playoffs. Kennedy, Mosca, and Roche join a staff headed up by Courtney Kessel, who is set to return for her second season behind the bench when the team returns to the ice.