Seattle Torrent and coach Steve O’Rourke part ways

The Seattle Torrent will have a new head coach for their second PWHL season in 2026-27.

The Torrent announced Friday it is parting ways with Steve O’Rourke following a last-place finish with a 8-1-5-16 record in its expansion season.

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“We are grateful to Steve for his contributions to the Seattle Torrent during our inaugural season. We wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future,” Torrent general manager Meghan Turner said in a statement.

According to the Torrent, the team is immediately beginning a search for its next head coach.

The Seattle Torrent and Head Coach Steve O’Rourke have parted ways. The Torrent will begin the search for their next Head Coach immediately. pic.twitter.com/nGFTIauSuP

— Seattle Torrent (@PWHL__Seattle) May 22, 2026

O’Rouke, a native of the Okanagan region of British Columbia, started his 15-year playing career in 1991 with a pair of seasons with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. He was head coach of the BCHL’s Langley Rivermen in 2011-12 and the OHL’s Oshawa Generals in 2024-25. He has also served as assistant coach in the AHL, WHL and OHL.

The Torrent own the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 PWHL Draft, which is set for June 17 in Detroit, which is one of the four cities that has been granted an expansion franchise for next season.

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