PWHL Las Vegas Names Kim Weiss Head Coach, Completes Roster

PWHL Las Vegas took two major steps forward this week, cementing its leadership structure and finalizing its 10-player expansion roster. The team named Kim Weiss as its first-ever head coach and finalized its roster through Phase 4 of the league's 2026 Expansion Player Distribution Process. Las Vegas was one of four new franchises, along with Detroit, Hamilton, and San Jose, added to the PWHL ahead of the 2026-27 season. The team will begin play at T-Mobile Arena later this year.

Weiss's Path to PWHL Las Vegas Head Coach Named Head Coach

Weiss arrives in Las Vegas from the Colorado Eagles, the Colorado Avalanche's AHL affiliate, where she served as an assistant coach.

She began her tenure with the Eagles as a video coach before being promoted to assistant coach, becoming only the second woman in AHL/NHL history to hold that role full-time.

Before joining the Eagles, she served as a guest coach for the Avalanche and worked at the team's development camps. She also served as an assistant coach with the Trinity College men's hockey team during the 2023-24 season.

Like Las Vegas general manager Dominique DiDia, Weiss is a Trinity College alumna, where she served as team captain in her junior and senior years. "Las Vegas has embraced hockey in a remarkable way and built a passionate sports culture," Weiss said. "I can't wait to help build something special for this community."

Las Vegas Wins Selection Order, Picks Abby Boreen

Las Vegas and Hamilton were the only two expansion teams that had not reached the 10-player signing cap by the Phase 4 deadline, triggering a selection process. Las Vegas won the randomly determined selection order ahead of Hamilton and chose Vancouver Goldeneyes forward Abby Boreen to complete its roster. Boreen is the fifth forward acquired by Las Vegas and the first forward Vancouver has lost in the expansion process. She finished the 2025-26 season with nine points, tied for eighth on the Goldeneyes' roster.

A former University of Minnesota standout, Boreen has played for three PWHL franchises in three years, starting with the Minnesota Frost, then the Montréal Victoire, and now Vancouver. She has 14 goals and 28 points across 69 career regular-season games. Boreen has one year remaining on a contract she signed with Montréal in October 2024, and Las Vegas has now acquired that contract.

Roster Takes Shape Ahead of Draft and Phase 5

Boreen joins a roster that includes Katy Knoll, Maureen Murphy, Hayley Scamurra, Megan Carter, Nicole Hensley, Erin Ambrose, Mae Batherson, Kendall Cooper, and Hilary Knight. However, Knight is expected to be traded to Detroit once the expansion process concludes. Las Vegas holds the fifth overall pick as the roster continues to grow through the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17. The PWHL's expansion process moves into Phase 5 on June 16 and 18, during which only existing teams may re-sign their own players with expiring contracts. The open signing period begins June 19.