Fleet promote Derek Whitmore to assistant coach
An established member of the hockey community has a new title.
On Wednesday, the Boston Fleet announced that the team has promoted Derek Whitmore to assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Whitmore joined the Fleet last season as a player development coach on Kris Sparre’s staff. He used his experience in both the collegiate and junior ranks to help grow the talent pool in Boston. Now, he hops on the bench alongside Francois Methot, who was hired as the franchise’s third head coach after Sparre departed to take the job as bench boss of the expansion team in Hamilton.
General manager Danielle Marmer is excited to see how Whitmore can impact the organization with an elevated role.
“We are thrilled to have Derek behind the bench for us this upcoming season,” Marmer said in a release. “Derek’s knowledge of the game, contagious enthusiasm and genuine passion for this team are evident every day. He has built strong relationships with our players, earned the respect of our staff and played an integral role in the success we achieved this past season. We’re excited to see him continue making a tremendous impact on our group as we build on that momentum.”
Whitmore admits he learned a lot in his first season with the club, which saw the Fleet finish second in the PWHL, becoming the fastest team to qualify for the Walter Cup Playoffs.
“Last year was an incredible season for the Fleet and it was so fun to be a part of as the development coach,” Whitmore said. “I couldn’t be happier to be joining the Fleet coaching staff and getting back behind the bench. We have an incredible group of players and an outstanding staff, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. To me, it’s more than just a game, it’s about being around good people who empower you and challenge you to be the best version of yourself each and every day.”
Prior to joining the Fleet, Whitmore started his own hockey program – Whitmore Hockey Development. He has also been an assistant coach with the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel (2021-23), Mercyhurst’s men’s program (2021), and Bowdoin College’s women’s program (2018-20). The Rochester, N.Y. native had an extended playing career, playing in both the AHL and ECHL, as well as a couple of games for the Buffalo Sabres in 2011-12.
