PWHL Hamilton Bolsters Coaching Staff with Walkland and James
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The expansion team adds a former NHL player and a collegiate coaching veteran to support head coach Kris Sparre.
PWHL Hamilton has announced the first two additions to head coach Kris Sparre’s staff as the team prepares for its inaugural 2026-27 season, according to a release reported by Sportsnet.
Chelsea Walkland and Connor James have been brought on as assistant coaches. Walkland brings a background in collegiate and international competition, having served as head coach for the U19 women’s hockey program at Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, N.Y. Sportsnet reports she previously worked as an assistant coach at Robert Morris University and Colgate University, and served as an assistant coach for the United States at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship. She also led the 2023 Collegiate Select Series as head coach in a matchup against Canada.
Connor James joins the staff following a tenure as a skills coach with Shield Athletics, a therapy and hockey development organization located in Burlington, Ont. As reported by Sportsnet, James also coached within the Burlington Eagles AAA program. His professional playing career spanned 16 years, including 16 games played with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles—the team that selected him in the ninth round of the 2002 NHL draft. James also represented Canada on three occasions at the Deutschland Cup.