The Toronto Sceptres have named Pascal Rhéaume the second head coach in franchise history. The 52-year-old has 14 years of coaching experience, mostly in the QMJHL. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach for the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders from 2023-2025. Rhéaume succeeds Troy Ryan, who was hired as the inaugural head coach and general manager for PWHL San Jose last month.
“Pascal brings a fresh perspective, a new voice, and valuable professional experience to our organization,” Sceptres general manager Gina Kingsbury said in the team’s introductory press conference. “Throughout our search process, it was important for us to find a coach who could build meaningful relationships, while also creating an environment that challenges players to grow and perform at their highest level.”
“Pascal is known for his commitment to hard work and fostering a close-knit locker room,” Kingsbury added. “We believe Pascal’s leadership, experience, and approach to player development will have a tremendous impact on our group as we continue to build and strive towards new heights as a professional organization.”
Rhéaume’s hiring is a critical step in what will be a busy offseason for the Sceptres. The team is currently in the midst of preparing for the next phase of the PWHL’s expansion process.
The hiring serves as Rhéaume’s entree into coaching women’s hockey.
His additional previous experience includes a head coaching stint with the QMJHL’s Val-d’Or Foreurs from 2018-2020. In 2019, the Foreurs went 25-36 and finished fourth in their division. They lost in the first round of the playoffs. The following year, the team went 26-30 in the regular season. (The QMJHL cancelled the playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic). New York Sirens general manager Pascal Daoust was an assistant coach both years.
Between 2010 and 2023, he had stints as an assistant coach with the ECHL’s Trois-Rivières Lions, QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix and Drummondville Voltigeurs, and the AHL’s Iowa Wild.
Pascal is the younger brother of Manon Rhéaume, general manager of PWHL Detroit. During his playing career, he skated in 318 NHL games and registered 91 points over nine seasons. He also spent time in the AHL and IHL as well as in Austria.
