The newly formed Detroit professional women’s hockey team announced Thursday that they have selected Josh Sciba, a Michigan native, to serve as their first-ever head coach.
The 41-year-old coach brings extensive experience to the role, having worked for two seasons as an assistant with the New York Sirens in the professional women’s league and also serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team that captured gold in 2026.
Detroit’s general manager Manon Rheaume praised the hiring decision in a statement, saying: “Josh is a highly respected coach with a knowledge of the game and experience at all levels of women’s hockey that set him apart, and his passion for teaching and individual character are qualities I value in a leader. Hockeytown is in his blood, and this is an opportunity I know he is eager to embrace with an understanding of what it means to represent this city and be part of its legacy.”
Before joining the professional ranks, Sciba led the women’s hockey program at Union College as head coach from 2016 through 2024. Prior to that role, he worked as an assistant coach at Colgate for four seasons between 2012 and 2016.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the position, Sciba stated: “I’m incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to become the Head Coach of PWHL Detroit and beyond grateful for the trust placed in me to help lead the organization from the beginning. This is home and especially meaningful for me and my entire family, knowing Detroit’s rich hockey history and identity firsthand and how much the women’s hockey community has been yearning for this moment. Working alongside Manon, someone who has meant so much to the growth of the sport, is a journey I’m so fortunate to be on, with her passion, leadership, and vision that will make Detroit a destination for players.”
Detroit will join the professional women’s hockey league as one of four new franchises beginning play in the 2026-27 season, alongside teams in Las Vegas, San Jose and Hamilton, Ontario.
The league has experienced significant growth since launching with six original teams in 2023, including Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto. Two additional franchises in Vancouver and Seattle joined the competition in 2025.
