PWHL Detroit Appointed Goyette and Howard to Staff
The team hired Hockey Hall of Famer Danielle Goyette and former Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard as coaches.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Hockey
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PWHL Detroit has named Danielle Goyette as an assistant coach and Jimmy Howard as the team's goalie coach. These appointments join Molly Engstrom, who was appointed as an assistant coach in June 2026.
Why it matters
Adding experienced professionals like Goyette and Howard provides the inaugural team with significant expertise as they prepare for their first season. The staff will operate under the leadership of head coach Josh Sciba.
Jimmy Howard concludes his career with 246 wins, 543 games played, and 24 shutouts, while Danielle Goyette boasts 3 Olympic medals and 9 IIHF World Championship medals.
The players
Danielle Goyette
She is a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee who previously earned three Olympic medals and nine IIHF Women's World Championship medals during her career.
Jimmy Howard
He is a former professional goaltender who played 14 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings before retiring in 2021.
Josh Sciba
He serves as the head coach tasked with leading the new PWHL Detroit franchise through its inaugural season.
Molly Engstrom
She is a member of the PWHL Detroit coaching staff who was officially appointed to her role as an assistant coach in June 2026.
The details
Danielle Goyette is a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, and Jimmy Howard spent 14 seasons playing for the Detroit Red Wings. The duo brings extensive experience to the staff ahead of the team's inaugural season.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: Staff appointments were announced.
June 2026: Molly Engstrom was appointed assistant coach.
2021: Jimmy Howard retired from the NHL.
1991 to 2007: Goyette played for Canada's National Women's Team.
The Big Picture
The hiring of Goyette and Howard follows the growth strategy of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) as it builds out its franchise infrastructures. This expansion of the coaching staff follows the league's established model of recruiting veteran professional and Olympic talent to guide new franchises.
The acquisition of these veteran coaches shifts the inaugural roster's defensive and goaltending preparation as the team nears its first season. These hires provide the team with immediate high-level technical mentorship for the goalie rotation.
The takeaway
Bringing in experienced former NHL and Olympic professionals establishes a strong foundation of leadership for the new franchise. Fans and observers should look for how these specific coaching backgrounds influence the team's defensive structure during their first competitive year.
Further reading
Find more updates on the team's development in our Detroit Hockey section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
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