Building a Program from the Ground Up
Brian Idalski was unveiled this week as the new head coach of Syracuse University's women's hockey team, a move that signals the school's ambition to return the program to national prominence.
Idalski arrives after a stint in the Professional Women's Hockey League where he coached the Vancouver franchise, a team that finished sixth in its inaugural season before he was dismissed in June. Prior to that, he spent a decade at the University of North Dakota, where he transformed the program into a national contender, earning USCHO coach of the year honors in his first season at St. Cloud State.
Athletic Director Bryan Blair praised Idalski's record, noting that his ability to build winning cultures aligns with Syracuse's goal of creating a competitive team that can contend in the NCAA tournament, a stage the program has visited only twice, in 2019 and 2022.
The hiring reflects a strategic shift toward a coach whose résumé includes not only on‑ice success but also a knack for recruiting and developing talent. Under Idalski's guidance, Syracuse hopes to leverage its existing facilities and fan base to attract top prospects and sustain long‑term growth.