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Christine Bumstead Named Head Coach of the Seattle Torrent

The Seattle Torrent named Christine Bumstead as the head coach for the franchise’s second year. Bumstead was an assistant coach during the team’s inaugural season and takes over the role from Steve O’Rourke who was let go on May 22. In their press release, the Torrent’s GM Meghan Turner said, “Christine brings a valuable combination of hockey expertise, leadership presence, and an unwavering commitment to high standards.” Before joining the Torrent, she spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies while also doing player development work with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades. She later served as an assistant on gold-medal-winning Team Manitoba’s staff at the 2025 WHL Cup, and led Canada’s national team at the 2024 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship as both head coach and general manager. As for an NHL connection, Bumstead was invited to join the Florida Panthers as a development camp guest coach in 2024, after that year’s Stanley Cup win, and sat in as an assistant coach for a preseason game. This gig apparently happened because of a hunting trip where she got a chance to discuss hockey philosophy with Paul Maurice during a long car ride. Also in their press release, Bumstead is quoted as saying, “I believe Seattle is the best city in the world for women’s sports. The best is still ahead for Seattle Torrent hockey, and we can’t wait to continue growing.” In this biased reporter’s opinion, she ain’t wrong about Seattle being the best city in the world for women’s sports. We’ll see how the season shapes up as the expansion process unfolds in the coming weeks.