(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Kris Sparre is the new head coach of the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women's Hockey League.

He is the second coach in the club's young history. He replaces Courtney Kessel, who was hired in June to coach the Princeton women's hockey team. In the Fleet's first two seasons, they were 27-19-8 under Kessel, including a run to the league's Walker Cup finals in their debut campaign.

For the past three seasons, Sparre, 38, was an assistant coach with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League, the Anaheim Ducks' top affiliate.

'I'm honored and thrilled to be named the head coach of the Boston Fleet,' Sparre said in a team-released statement. 'This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a league that has experienced remarkable growth and momentum in recent seasons. Boston stands as one of the premier sports cities in the world, and I look forward to building a program that is capable of contending for a championship every season.'

Sparre, an Ontario native, also has coaching experience in the Ontario Hockey League and in Austria's top professional league.

'What makes Kris such a strong fit is his experience in the AHL, where coaches are constantly balancing the need to win now with the responsibility of developing players -- a challenge that mirrors what we face in the PWHL,' Fleet general manager Danielle Marmer said. 'Our players need to grow and perform in real time, and Kris understands how to create that environment. He brings clarity, structure and a deep commitment to helping players succeed.

'Just as importantly, he's known as a relationship-driven coach and an elite communicator -- someone who builds trust, connects with players, and brings energy and purpose to the rink every day. We're thrilled to have him leading our team.'

Sparre played professionally for nine total seasons in the ECHL and Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga.

The schedule has not yet been announced for the 2025-26 season.

--Field Level Media