Cara Gardner Morey exits Vancouver Goldeneyes GM role to coach
Cara Gardner Morey, 47, has stepped down as GM of the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes to become the team's head coach, effective immediately. She built the franchise during its inaugural season and said coaching is where she can make the biggest impact. The PWHL will oversee a search for her replacement as GM.
Cara Gardner Morey has stepped down as general manager of the Vancouver Goldeneyes to become the team's head coach, the PWHL announced Thursday. Gardner Morey, 47, spent the league's inaugural season building the franchise in the GM role and said she is more impactful on the bench than in the front office.
Gardner Morey's move follows the firing of head coach Brian Idalski after the Goldeneyes became the first PWHL team eliminated from playoff contention. She told ESPN that she realized how much she missed being behind the bench and views coaching as the position where she can make her biggest impact. According to her statement, she is eager to coach the roster the Goldeneyes assembled, which includes No. 1 draft pick Caroline Harvey, a U.S. Olympic team defender.
Gardner Morey spent 14 seasons as head coach at Princeton before moving into the Goldeneyes role. At Princeton, she guided the Tigers to their first ECAC tournament title in 2020, a season that set a program record with 26 wins.
The PWHL will oversee a search for Gardner Morey's replacement as GM, leaving the franchise to fill its leadership structure while preparing for the season ahead. The shift exposes a challenge for the nascent league in balancing front-office and coaching responsibilities during a period of growth.
Cara Gardner Morey transitioned from Vancouver Goldeneyes GM to head coach as the PWHL searches for her replacement.
Gardner Morey's transition from building the franchise to coaching it represents a significant midcourse correction for the Goldeneyes, which must now recruit a GM while their head coach adjusts to leading a professional roster. Watch whether this structure accelerates the team's development or creates friction as the franchise enters its second season.
The score is a fact. The story gets checked.
Sources
GoCheckMySports reports events. It never advises bets. Nothing here is betting or gambling advice.