Syracuse University announced the hiring of Brian Idalski as its new head coach for the women’s ice hockey program, a move designed to arrest a slide that saw the team finish the 2026 season with a 10‑11‑3 record and miss the AHA conference finals for the fourth straight year.
The Orange’s offensive output last year was among the nation’s lowest, with just 69 goals scored and a goal differential that placed them in the bottom ten of Division I, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge facing the new coaching staff.
A New Direction for the Orange
Idalski brings a résumé that includes stints at the University of North Dakota and St. Cloud State, where he improved the program by nine wins in the 2022‑2023 season and earned USCHO Coach of the Year honors. His international experience also includes coaching the Czech Women’s National Team at the 2022 Olympics, a role he has now returned to after a brief hiatus.
Recruiting presents a particular hurdle; the program’s modest 350‑seat arena and limited pool of overseas players have constrained its ability to attract top talent, prompting Idalski to target prospects such as Sofianna Sundelin, Emilia Kyrkkö and Siiri Yrjölä, who have already added depth to comparable programs.
Among the returning standouts are goaltender Ava Drabyk, whose .922 save percentage kept games competitive, and forward Emma Gnade, who contributed nine goals and 11 assists during the 2025‑2026 season.
Idalski’s immediate objectives are clear: climb above a .500 win total, tighten defensive play, and develop players who can compete at the professional level, with the Mercyhurst Lakers serving as a benchmark for the program’s potential under his leadership.