Brian Idalski Lands At Syracuse After Vancouver Exit

Brian Idalski is coaching college hockey again. After coaching the Vancouver Goldeneyes in their inaugural PWHL season, Idalski and the expansion club parted ways this offseason, and he has since been hired as head coach of Czechia's women's national team and of Syracuse University's women's program.

He did not spend long reflecting on the pro detour.

"I enjoyed my time in the PWHL. It's a different animal, and the expansion experience was something that I learned a lot from," Idalski said.

Idalski came to Vancouver from St. Cloud State following the 2024-25 NCAA season. He brings 13 seasons of NCAA Division I head coaching experience between North Dakota and St. Cloud State, plus three seasons coaching professional women's hockey in China.

"There's something about college athletics, and the hunger, and the desire, and the work ethic, and the fact that now all these players have designs on playing at the next level," he said. "Being back in college, honestly, in the short time we've been back feels pretty good."

Syracuse returns the bulk of its roster, including its top six forwards, and adds Kerttu Lehmus, a former Finnish U18 national team player who spent last season at Merrimack. Sophomore goaltender Ava Drabyk is back after starting 34 games as a rookie with a 2.38 goals-against average, a .922 save percentage and five shutouts.

The Orange open with non-conference games against Stonehill on September 25 and 26, then travel to Mercyhurst to begin Atlantic Hockey America play the following weekend. Clarkson, Colgate, Union and RPI are also on the non-conference slate.