Overview
- Meghan Duggan left her role as director of player development with the New Jersey Devils to become general manager of PWHL Hamilton while Troy Ryan was named both general manager and head coach of PWHL San Jose.
- The two appointments, announced on May 22, 2026, complete the PWHL’s set of general managers for its four new 2026–27 expansion franchises.
- Both new GMs must now hire hockey operations and coaching staffs, take part in an expansion signing window set to begin in roughly two weeks, and prepare for the league-wide draft on June 17 in Detroit.
- Ryan’s combined GM-head coach role gives him consolidated roster and coaching control in San Jose, while Duggan’s move deepens the flow of NHL front-office experience into the women’s pro game and creates a vacancy in New Jersey’s development staff.
- The hires mark the next phase of the PWHL’s rapid institutional growth since its 2024 launch as it doubles to 12 teams for 2026–27 and pushes centralized league timelines for team construction and player allocation.