PWHL New York hires Lauren Williams as assistant coach

PWHL New York announced the hiring of Lauren Williams as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 season.

Williams spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach for Mount Royal University women’s program in the Canadian University U SPORTS system. She was the program’s first-ever full-time women’s coach. She has also worked with Hockey Canada’s National Women’s Program as a mental performance consultant.

“To step into this league as a coach represents a full-circle moment for myself that I struggle to put into words,” Williams said in a press release. “I cannot wait to get this upcoming season started and do my part in helping our players and staff excel on and off the ice.”

As a player, the Windsor native played for the University of Wisconsin-Madision for four seasons, recording six goals and 20 assists for 26 points in 141 career regular-season games.

After graduating, Williams was taken No. 1 overall in the 2018 CWHL Entry Draft by Worcester Blades. She would go on to spend parts of three seasons in the PWHPA before playing in Sweden with Djurgardens IF in 2021-22.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Lauren to the PWHL New York coaching staff and family,” New York General Manager Pascal Daoust said in a press release. “Lauren brings not only her experience as a player and assistant coach but also her unique expertise in mental preparation and performance, which is crucial for enhancing individual performance in our pursuit of collective excellence.

“Her background, personality, and approach will bring each of us closer to achieving our full potential,” Daoust continued.

Last month, New York selected Princeton star forward Sarah Fillier with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft.