Kori Cheverie to become 1st woman to coach a Canadian men’s hockey team

Kori Cheverie will become the first woman to serve as a coach for a Canadian men’s national team when she steps behind the bench this spring for Canada’s U-18 team.

Kori Cheverie is continuing to break ground for women in coaching.

The 34-year-old will become the first woman to serve as a coach for a Canadian men’s national team when she steps behind the bench this spring for Canada’s U-18 team.

Cheverie will serve as an assistant coach on a staff that also includes former NHLer Nolan Baumgartner as head coach, as well as Todd Miller and David Struch as assistants alongside Cheverie.

Cheverie is coming off a role helping Canada’s national women’s team win Olympic gold in Beijing.

“We are fortunate to have a diverse and experienced coaching staff that includes Nolan’s NHL and Olympic experience, Kori’s gold medal pedigree with Canada’s Women’s Olympic Team and National Women’s Under-18 Team, veteran CHL experience from both Todd and David, and Brad’s extensive background at the U SPORTS, WHL and Olympic levels,” Hockey Canada’s senior Vice President of hockey operations Scott Salmond said.

This is not the first time Cheverie has broken ground for women coaching in men’s hockey. In 2016 Cheverie became the first woman to become a full time assistant coach for a men’s USports team when she joined the coaching staff for the Ryerson University Rams.

As a player, Cheverie, a product of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia starred for the Saint Mary’s University Huskies. Here she was named an AUS First Team All-Star three times. Later, she would play in the CWHL with the Toronto Furies, winning a Clarkson Cup in 2014. She retired from playing following the 2015-2016 season.

While this is Cheverie’s first time with a men’s national team, she has significant experience within Hockey Canada. To win a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, Cheverie had to play an unconventional role. Unfortunately due to contracting COVID, Cheverie served Canada from home during the games, watching the team on TV, reviewing film, and connecting digitally with players. She has also served as an assistant for Canada’s national women’s team at the World Championships, as well as with Canada’s women’s U18 team.

The 2022 men’s World U-18 Championships will take place beginning April 21 in Landshut and Kaufbeuren, Germany.