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Arizona Coyotes hire first full-time female coach in NHL history

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 27, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; The Arizona Coyotes mascot Howler the Coyote in the second period against the Anaheim Ducks at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; The Arizona Coyotes mascot Howler the Coyote in the second period against the Anaheim Ducks at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Coyotes have hired Dawn Braid as their skating coach, making her the first woman to serve as a full-time member of an NHL team’s coaching staff.

For a very long time, the NHL has been known as a league dominated by men, not just on the ice, but off it as well. Women have rarely served in a large role for teams, which has led to female fans feeling alienated at times. The Arizona Coyotes may be starting to change that as they hired Dawn Braid as their full-time skating coach.

From NHL.com:

"Braid begins a full-time role with the Coyotes after joining the franchise on a part-time basis in 2015. Braid also spent seven years with the Athletes Training Center as its director of skating development where she instructed a variety of skaters including New York Islanders center John Tavares."

She has also served as a consultant for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames. Braid joined the organization last season on a part-time basis for the same role. She impressed a number of NHL teams by working to improve Tavares’ skating. Tavares credits her for helping him improve.

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This is a monumental moment for the NHL. Women who have interest in working for NHL teams have very few female role models to look up to. Now they have Braid, who should do a great job in her role. Many more steps still have to be made, but this is a significant step forward.

The Coyotes have been aggressive this offseason under new general manager John Chayka. He surprised the league by trading for the rights to Alex Goligoski and convincing him to sign a long-term deal. Now he is creating ripples by signing a well-known skating instructor who has long deserved a chance as a skating coach in the NHL.

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