Torrent hire Christine Bumstead as second coach
The Torrent promoted assistant coach Christine Bumstead to head coach before the 2026-27 Professional Women's Hockey League season. She previously worked under Steve O'Rourke, who was fired after the Torrent finished in last place in their inaugural season.
Last season Bumstead coached the Torrent's forwards and the power play, which was fourth of eight teams (15.7%).
"Christine brings a valuable combination of hockey expertise, leadership presence, and an unwavering commitment to high standards," Torrent GM Meghan Turner said in a team statement.
"I'm confident that Christine's vision and style will set us on the right path as we build into our second season and strive toward our goal of bringing the Walter Cup home to Seattle."
Bumstead, 30, previously spent three seasons as an assistant coach of the University of Saskatchewan women's team, according to Elite Prospects. At the same time she was working in player development for the Western Hockey League's Saskatoon Blades, the first female coach in the organization's history.
"Long before I was a part of the league, I was inspired by what the PWHL is building, and so I do not take this opportunity lightly," Bumstead said. "I feel incredibly fortunate to play a role in sparking dreams for the next generation of players. The best is still ahead for Seattle Torrent hockey, and we can't wait to continue growing."
Clayton Beddoes was on the Torrent staff last season alongside Bumstead. He ran the penalty kill and oversaw the team's defenders. Sheldon Goertzen acted as goaltending coach. Their retention wasn't announced alongside Bumstead's promotion.
Bumstead has her work cut out for her, as Seattle's roster was just raided by the PWHL's four new expansion teams. Captain Hilary Knight, the face of the franchise, is gone, as are promising players Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes, No. 1 goalie Corinne Schroeder and physical defender Megan Carter.
The Torrent finished last but couldn't play their way into the top overall pick in next week's draft. The Vancouver Goldeneyes snagged it, and the rest of the order hasn't been announced yet.
Seattle hockey fans were vocal in their desire to see Jessica Campbell, who recently left the NHL's Kraken to pursue other opportunities, take over the reins. But that likely would have meant a significant pay cut for the first woman to work full-time behind an NHL bench.
Still, wherever she winds up, Campbell had a chance to mentor multiple future PWHL coaches to some degree. Campbell mentioned earlier this year that she and Bumstead talked hockey, and she also chatted with American Hockey League assistant coach Kim Weiss. PWHL Las Vegas GM Dominique DiDia stated this week that the expansion franchise intends to make Weiss its first head coach.
After Weiss is hired, four of the 12 PWHL teams will have women in the head coaching role. The Goldeneyes are still filling their vacancy, but at the moment, Bumstead is the league's youngest coach.
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