The Boston Fleet announced this week that François Méthot will take over as head coach, succeeding Kris Sparre, who has moved on to lead the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s expansion franchise in Hamilton, Ontario.
A New Era for the Boston Fleet
Méthot arrives with a résumé that blends a solid playing career in the American Hockey League and a decade spent competing in Germany’s top pro league with a proven track record in player development. After a stint as Hockey Director for the Rochester Junior Americans, he launched a girls’ hockey program and founded the Rochester Ice Hockey Academy in 2017.
During his time in Rochester, Méthot mentored several rising talents, most notably Fleet defender Haley Winn, and helped shape a pipeline that has already begun to feed the PWHL’s newest clubs.
The organization also used the expansion draft to protect core players such as captain Megan Keller, goaltender Aerin Frankel and forward Haley Winn, ensuring continuity as the league prepares its next wave of franchises.
The expansion process itself involves a three‑day window during which new teams can acquire five players through signings and a selection process, while existing clubs may lose up to three contracted athletes in Phase 2.
In a statement, Méthot expressed enthusiasm about joining the Fleet, emphasizing his desire to build on the team’s recent successes and to continue developing talent both on and off the ice.
The move signals a strategic shift for the Boston franchise, which has been active in safeguarding its top talent ahead of the upcoming season, a tactic that mirrors earlier moves by the Buffalo Sabres and other league peers.
Fans can expect a blend of seasoned guidance and fresh ideas as the Fleet navigates the upcoming expansion landscape, with the coaching staff poised to integrate the protected roster into a competitive lineup.