Courtney Kessel is set to return to Princeton University as the head coach of the women's hockey team, leaving her position as head coach of the PWHL Boston Fleet. Princeton University officially announced Kessel's hiring on Monday, June 23, 2025, following reports the week prior that the agreement was being finalized. Kessel's move marks a return to familiar territory, as she previously served as an assistant coach at Princeton for four seasons, from 2019 to 2023, under Cara Gardner Morey.
Kessel is succeeding Gardner Morey, who departed from the Tigers in May to take on the role of general manager for the PWHL's expansion team in Vancouver. This transition created the opening that allowed Kessel to return to Princeton. According to sources, Kessel's ties to Princeton played a significant role in her decision to pursue the job.
The choice to leave the PWHL and the Boston Fleet was not an easy one for Kessel. The 35-year-old coach was instrumental in building the Fleet from its inception in 2023, working alongside General Manager Danielle Marmer. In their inaugural season, Kessel led the team to a successful run, finishing third in the PWHL and advancing to the Walter Cup final after upsetting Montreal. Although Boston ultimately lost to Minnesota in a five-game series, Kessel's efforts were recognized as she was named a finalist for PWHL Coach of the Year. The team's second season saw a similar winning percentage but ended with the Fleet missing the playoffs. Kessel leaves the Fleet with a 27-19-8 record.
"It is bittersweet to move on from the Boston Fleet and the amazing people building that organization and the PWHL as a whole," Kessel stated. "This opportunity was the only one that could draw me away from where I was."
Prior to her time with the Fleet, Kessel also served as an associate head coach at Boston University in 2023-24. Kessel's coaching experience extends beyond the collegiate and professional levels. She served as the head coach for Canada's gold medal-winning team at the 2023 IIHF U-18 Women's World Championship in Sweden. She also has experience with Hockey Canada, having served as an assistant coach for the senior team in 2024 and for the gold medal-winning Canadian U-18 Team in 2018-19.
Kessel's playing career includes representing Canada at three world championships, winning a gold medal in 2012 and silver medals in 2013 and 2015. She also played at the University of New Hampshire, where she was a 2010 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.
The Boston Fleet are now faced with filling the head coach position, adding to the significant changes the team is undergoing this offseason. Star forward Hilary Knight has signed with PWHL Seattle, and assistant general manager Meghan Turner has also been hired by Seattle as their GM. The PWHL now has three coaching vacancies, with Seattle and Vancouver also searching for head coaches.
Fleet GM Danielle Marmer acknowledged Kessel's impact on the team, stating, "Courtney set the tone from Day 1 and elevated our group with her competitiveness, preparation, and care. She's already established herself as an elite coach early in her career, and I know she'll continue to raise the bar as the next head coach at Princeton."
Kessel is taking over a Princeton program that last qualified for the NCAA Tournament in the 2018-19 season. During her time as an assistant, Kessel helped Princeton achieve significant milestones, including a program-record 26 wins and the ECAC Hockey tournament title in the 2019-20 season.
