Torrent hire Stefanie McKeough as new assistant coach
An experienced member behind the bench is heading across the country.
On Tuesday, the Seattle Torrent announced that the team has hired Stefanie McKeough as the team’s new assistant coach.
McKeough joins the team in the Emerald City after working for the Boston Fleet during the first three years in the PWHL. She served under Courtney Kessel and Kris Sparre during her tenure in Boston, with the latter being named Coach of the Year this past season. McKeough was the Fleet’s head coach for one game last season, as Sparre left the team to be with his family as they welcomed a new child into the world.
Torrent general manager Meghan Turner is very familiar with McKeough’s line of work, as she was the assistant GM with the Fleet under Danielle Marmer for the organization’s first two years before taking the job in Seattle.
“Stefanie is a uniquely exciting addition to our team as we build toward our second season,” Turner said in a release. “Having worked with her firsthand, I have been impressed by her analytical mind and her ability to consistently elevate others. Her proven experience as an elite player and a foundational coach in our league will help strengthen our culture and reinforce our standards as we pursue sustained success this year and beyond. We are thrilled to welcome her out west.”
McKeough joins the staff in Seattle that is now headed by Christine Bumstead, who was promoted to head coach after Steve O’Rourke was fired after just one season.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the Torrent and get to know the Seattle community and amazing fans,” McKeough said. “I am excited to get to work with great players and staff to continue building an environment where players can grow, compete, and be their best every day.”
McKeough and Bumstead will try their best to turn the young franchise around, as the Torrent debuted with the worst season in PWHL history. Seattle finished last in the league, setting new records for most regulation losses (16) and total defeats (21) in a single season.
McKeough, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin with an NCAA championship on her resume, has been on the coaching staff for Canada at the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship three times, with the team winning gold in 2023 and 2025, along with a bronze medal in 2024.