The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced Tuesday that PWHL San Jose will enter the upcoming season with a freshly expanded coaching staff, naming Uffe Lundberg and Jessica Turi as the first assistant coaches on head coach Troy Ryan’s bench.
Lundberg arrives with a résumé that spans a decade at the helm of Sweden’s national programs, where he guided the country from outside the top ten in the world rankings to a bronze‑medal showdown at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. His tenure also included leadership of the Swedish U‑16 and U‑17 men’s teams and a stint as head coach of Södertälje SK in HockeyAllsvenskan between 2017 and 2020.
Coaching pedigree meets new league ambitions
Turi, meanwhile, brings a blend of North American and international experience. She has coached at York University, served as an assistant with the PHF’s Toronto Six — where she helped the club capture the 2023 Isobel Cup — and recently participated in Hockey Canada’s 2025 National Women’s Team Selection Camp.
Both appointments are framed as pivotal for a franchise that is preparing to make its debut this fall. Ryan emphasized that the new staff will be instrumental in shaping the team’s identity and competitive edge as the league expands its footprint across North America.
Lundberg’s international pedigree is expected to bring a global perspective to player development, while Turi’s track record of championship success at the club level adds a proven winning mentality. Their combined expertise is seen as a catalyst for the San Jose franchise as it seeks to establish credibility in a competitive landscape.
The move also underscores the league’s commitment to recruiting top talent, both on and off the ice, as the PWHL aims to elevate the sport’s profile and provide a sustainable platform for elite women’s hockey.