VANCOUVER, BC (July 30, 2026) – The Vancouver Goldeneyes announced today that Cara Gardner Morey has been named Head Coach after serving as the team's General Manager during its inaugural season.
The move sees Gardner Morey return to the bench, where she spent more than a decade establishing herself as one of the most respected coaches in women's hockey.
“I'm excited to return to coaching,” said Gardner Morey. “Over the course of the offseason, I spent a lot of time reflecting and discussing what was best for our team and for me personally. Through that process, I realized how much I missed being behind the bench. While I continue to be incredibly proud of what we built in Vancouver during our inaugural season, coaching is where I know I can make the biggest impact. To have the opportunity to coach the roster we've assembled is an incredible privilege, and I can't wait for us to take the ice later this year.”
“We're thrilled that Cara will lead the Goldeneyes as Head Coach," said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. “Cara played an instrumental role in establishing the Goldeneyes during their inaugural season, helping shape the team's identity and lay a strong foundation for the future. She has a proven track record of developing athletes and creating high-performing teams, and we're excited to support her during this transition.”
Before joining the Goldeneyes, Gardner Morey spent 14 seasons with Princeton Women's Ice Hockey, serving as Head Coach from 2017-25 and building one of the most respected programs in collegiate hockey.
Under Gardner Morey's leadership, the Princeton Tigers captured their first ECAC Tournament championship, won an Ivy League title, made multiple NCAA quarterfinal appearances, and set a program record with 26 wins in a single season. She finished her tenure as the second-winningest coach in program history.
Throughout her career, Gardner Morey has played a central role in developing elite talent at both the collegiate and international levels. She has also held coaching roles with Hockey Canada at the U18, Development, and Senior National Team levels, in addition to serving as a development camp coach with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers.
A native of Hensall, ON, and a graduate of Brown University, Gardner Morey was a two-sport All-American in ice hockey and field hockey. She played professionally in the original NWHL and holds a Master of Education from Arizona State University. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated advocate for the growth of women's hockey and the development of the next generation of athletes. She was recognized with a BCBusiness 2026 Women of the Year Community Builder award this June for her work in the Goldeneyes’ inaugural season and the team’s impact on Vancouver as a professional women’s sports team.
Vancouver finished its inaugural season in sixth place in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) standings with 37 points and an overall record of 9-3-4-14. The league will lead the search for Vancouver's next General Manager.