SEATTLE (August 21, 2025) – PWHL Seattle announced today that Christine Bumstead and Clayton Beddoes have officially joined the team as assistant coaches prior to the team’s inaugural 2025-26 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) season.
“We are thrilled to add Christine and Clayton to our bench,” said General Manager Meghan Turner. “Both have deep hockey knowledge and unique abilities to communicate effectively in diverse environments. They are exceptional individuals with experiences that helps establish our culture from day one.”
Bumstead joins PWHL Seattle after making history the past two seasons as the first woman to serve as Performance Coach for the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Saskatoon Blades, and four seasons as an Assistant Coach for the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Hockey team. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native is also the Head Coach for Canada’s Women’s Deaf Hockey Team, leading them to a silver medal finish at the 2024 Deaf World Hockey Championship. Adding to her impressive resume, Bumstead is a member of the NHL Coaches Association Female Coaches Program. She most recently appeared as a guest coach during pre-season for the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers (2024-25). At 28-years-old, Bumstead broke history as the first woman to coach behind the bench with the Panthers for the team’s pre-season games against the Nashville Predators on Sept. 14, 2024.
“I am honored to join PWHL Seattle, helping drive excitement for PWHL’s expansion as a whole,” Bumstead shared. “I am so excited to contribute to this historic moment, supporting a strong team culture and shared success each time players hit the ice. I have no doubt Seattle will become a powerhouse fanbase for women’s hockey.”
Beddoes joins PWHL Seattle after spending the past two seasons in the WHL as an Assistant Coach for the Red Deer Rebels (2023-25). The Bentley, Alberta native helped the Rebels advance twice to the second round of the WHL playoffs in his second term with his hometown team, returning after serving the 2014-15 season as Skills Coach. Prior to his WHL return, Beddoes built an illustrious coaching career overseas including a five-year stint with the Italian Men’s National Hockey Team (Assistant Coach 2015-17, Head Coach 2017-20); as an Assistant Coach for the Chinese Men’s National Hockey Team in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, and coaching various club teams in Italy and Germany dating back to 2005-06. As a player, Beddoes skated two seasons for the NHL’s Boston Bruins and its American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Providence Bruins. He also competed internationally for Canada, winning the 1992 Spengler Cup.
“Being entrusted on the coaching staff for PWHL Seattle’s inaugural season is a challenge that I accept with honor and enthusiasm,” said Beddoes. “I look forward to working with Coach Bumstead, Coach O’Rourke and all of the staff members in Seattle to sow the seeds for what will surely become a successful franchise.”
Bumstead and Beddoes join Steve O’Rourke, hired as the team’s inaugural head coach on June 20, leading PWHL Seattle’s inaugural hockey performance staff. The team has 19 players currently under contract for the 2025-26 campaign.
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About the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL)
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that features the best women’s players in the world. It is comprised of eight teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. Launched on Jan. 1, 2024, the PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide all-time record for a women’s hockey game. In 2024, the PWHL was recognized by Sports Business Journal as the Sports Breakthrough of the Year and received the top position in the first-ever Canadian edition of the Harris Poll, which ranks companies’ reputations. Visit thepwhl.com to purchase tickets and merchandise and subscribe to the PWHL e-newsletter to receive the latest league updates. Follow the league on all social media platforms @thepwhlofficial.
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