Meghan Duggan, a three-time U.S. Olympian, is transitioning from her role in player development with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils to assume the position of general manager for the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) new expansion franchise in Hamilton, Ontario. The announcement of Duggan’s appointment on Friday completes three of the four general manager vacancies for the league’s new teams. The PWHL was expected to reveal the general manager for its San Jose, California, team later the same day.
Duggan, 38, brings significant recognition and extensive experience to the PWHL’s fifth Canadian-based franchise. She has previously contributed to the league as a special consultant within its hockey operations department. Her tenure with the Devils spanned five years, with the last four dedicated to leading their player development efforts.
These four new franchises will expand the PWHL to a total of 12 teams for the upcoming season, effectively doubling the league’s size since its inception in 2024. Other new teams have been established in Detroit and Las Vegas.
Among Duggan’s immediate priorities will be assembling a coaching staff and commencing the process of building Hamilton’s roster through an expansion signing period, which is slated to begin in two weeks. Following this, the PWHL draft is scheduled for June 17.
Hailing from Danvers, Massachusetts, Duggan earned Olympic silver medals in 2010 and 2014 before captaining the U.S. team to a gold medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. Her illustrious career also includes seven gold and one silver medal across eight World Championship appearances.
Despite her American background, Duggan maintains ties to Canada through her marriage to former Team Canada rival Gillian Apps, who originates from the Toronto area, located approximately an hour’s drive east of Hamilton.
Duggan’s collegiate career at Wisconsin culminated in winning the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2011, recognizing her as the most outstanding player in women’s college hockey during her senior year with the Badgers.
