Overview
- Francois Methot was hired Thursday, June 4, and becomes the Fleet’s third head coach in four seasons following Kris Sparre’s departure to the new Hamilton franchise.
- Methot spent the past three seasons as general manager and head coach of the NAHL’s Rochester Jr. Americans, compiling a 110-51-17 record while building a girls’ program and developing players such as Fleet defender Haley Winn.
- The Fleet announced protections for captain Megan Keller, goalie Aerin Frankel and Haley Winn, leaving top scorers such as Alina Müller and Jessie Eldridge exposed as the PWHL adds four expansion teams.
- The league’s expansion signing window begins Friday, the PWHL draft is set for June 17, and free agency follows, creating immediate roster uncertainty the new coach must manage.
- Boston’s front office says Methot’s track record in player development and relationship-building guided the hire and that early priorities will be integrating a fluid roster and finding more scoring options.