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Princeton University Athletics
Cara Morey Named General Manager Of PWHL's Vancouver Franchise
May 23, 2025 | Women's Ice Hockey
Cara Gardner Morey has resigned her position as head coach of Princeton's women's ice hockey program to accept a new role as general manager of PWHL Vancouver, an expansion franchise set to begin play in the 2025-26 season.
Gardner Morey has spent the last 14 seasons as a member of Princeton's coaching staff, including the last eight as head coach. The second-winningest head coach in program history, Gardner Morey guided the Tigers to the 2020 ECAC Championship. During her time at Princeton, the Tigers qualified for three NCAA Tournaments, once while she was an assistant and twice during her tenure as head coach. She also part of two Ivy League championships -- in 2016 as an assistant and 2019 as head coach.
"I am grateful for Cara's 14 years of dedication to Princeton Women's Ice Hockey as an assistant coach and head coach," said Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack '00. "She has helped recruit and develop some of the most successful teams in program history, and helped countless young women reach their potential on and off the ice. We are sad to see her go, but excited to watch her take on this new role during an exciting time for the PWHL."
Gardner Morey will have multiple former Tigers on opposing teams as she takes the reins in Vancouver, including 2024 PWHL #1 overall draft pick Sarah Fillier who plays for New York as well as Claire Thompson (Minnesota), Maggie Connors (Toronto) and Mariah Keopple (Montreal).
"This is a bittersweet moment for me, but an exciting one," said Gardner Morey. "Princeton has been my home for the last 14 years and is a place that will always be special to me and my family. I have been so fortunate to be even a small part of the incredible story of Princeton and Princeton women's hockey. I have been fortunate to not only coach amazing young women, but to learn from them as they navigate their lives as exceptional players, students and leaders. It has been a joy to work and develop alongside dedicated colleagues who have helped me grow as a coach and leader in ways that have made this opportunity possible. I will always be thankful for my time at Princeton and appreciative of everyone who has been part of this journey with me. PWIH forever!"
Princeton will conduct a national search for its next head coach.
PWHL Official Release
NEW YORK AND VANCOUVER (May 23, 2025) – The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced today the appointment of Cara Gardner Morey as General Manager of PWHL Vancouver. Gardner Morey joins the league's expansion team following 14 seasons with Princeton Women's Ice Hockey, where she had served as Head Coach since 2017 and built one of the most respected programs in collegiate hockey.
"Cara brings exceptional experience at all levels of the game, a deep understanding of player development, and an unwavering passion for advancing women's sports," said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "Her track record at Princeton speaks for itself – instilling a strong culture, recruiting top talent, developing elite athletes, and winning championships. Cara becoming General Manager of PWHL Vancouver is a powerful addition to our league."
Under Gardner Morey's leadership, the Princeton Tigers captured their first ECAC tournament title, won an Ivy League championship, made multiple NCAA quarterfinal appearances, and set a program record with 26 wins in a single season. She is the second-winningest coach in Princeton history.
"I'm incredibly honored to step into the role of General Manager and lead the PWHL team in Vancouver," said Gardner Morey. "It's a privilege to help bring the best women's hockey to one of the greatest cities in the world. We'll build a team that reflects Vancouver's passionate spirit - one that competes for the Walter Cup and becomes part of the city's fabric. I can't wait to get started. Let's build something incredible together, Vancouver!"
Throughout her career, Gardner Morey has played a central role in developing top-tier talent at both the collegiate and international levels. Among the many athletes she has coached are Olympic gold medalists and current PWHL standouts Sarah Fillier and Claire Thompson. She has held coaching roles with Hockey Canada at the U18, Development, and Senior National Team levels, and has also served as a development camp coach with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers for the past four years.
A native of Hensall, ON and graduate of Brown University, Gardner Morey was a two-sport All-American in ice hockey and field hockey. She played professional hockey in the original NWHL and holds a Master's of Education from Arizona State University. A tireless advocate for equity in sport, Gardner Morey has dedicated her career to mentoring the next generation and advancing the visibility and impact of women's hockey.
Gardner Morey will lead PWHL Vancouver into its inaugural 2025–26 season. Following the submission of protected player lists from the inaugural six teams, the league's two expansion teams will be granted a five-day exclusive window to sign a maximum of five players, beginning June 4 at 9 a.m. ET. The 2025 Expansion Draft, presented by Upper Deck, will take place June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Details about media availability with Gardner Morey to follow.
About the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that features the best women's players in the world. It is comprised of eight teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. Launched on Jan. 1, 2024, the PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide all-time record for a women's hockey game. In 2024, the PWHL was recognized by Sports Business Journal as the Sports Breakthrough of the Year and received the top position in the first-ever Canadian edition of the Harris Poll, which ranks companies' reputations. Visit thepwhl.com to purchase tickets and merchandise, and subscribe to the PWHL e-newsletter to receive the latest league updates. Follow the league on all social media platforms @thepwhlofficial.
PWHL, the PWHL Logo, and PWHL team names and logos are trademarks of the PWHL. © PWHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Gardner Morey has spent the last 14 seasons as a member of Princeton's coaching staff, including the last eight as head coach. The second-winningest head coach in program history, Gardner Morey guided the Tigers to the 2020 ECAC Championship. During her time at Princeton, the Tigers qualified for three NCAA Tournaments, once while she was an assistant and twice during her tenure as head coach. She also part of two Ivy League championships -- in 2016 as an assistant and 2019 as head coach.
"I am grateful for Cara's 14 years of dedication to Princeton Women's Ice Hockey as an assistant coach and head coach," said Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack '00. "She has helped recruit and develop some of the most successful teams in program history, and helped countless young women reach their potential on and off the ice. We are sad to see her go, but excited to watch her take on this new role during an exciting time for the PWHL."
Gardner Morey will have multiple former Tigers on opposing teams as she takes the reins in Vancouver, including 2024 PWHL #1 overall draft pick Sarah Fillier who plays for New York as well as Claire Thompson (Minnesota), Maggie Connors (Toronto) and Mariah Keopple (Montreal).
"This is a bittersweet moment for me, but an exciting one," said Gardner Morey. "Princeton has been my home for the last 14 years and is a place that will always be special to me and my family. I have been so fortunate to be even a small part of the incredible story of Princeton and Princeton women's hockey. I have been fortunate to not only coach amazing young women, but to learn from them as they navigate their lives as exceptional players, students and leaders. It has been a joy to work and develop alongside dedicated colleagues who have helped me grow as a coach and leader in ways that have made this opportunity possible. I will always be thankful for my time at Princeton and appreciative of everyone who has been part of this journey with me. PWIH forever!"
Princeton will conduct a national search for its next head coach.
PWHL Official Release
NEW YORK AND VANCOUVER (May 23, 2025) – The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced today the appointment of Cara Gardner Morey as General Manager of PWHL Vancouver. Gardner Morey joins the league's expansion team following 14 seasons with Princeton Women's Ice Hockey, where she had served as Head Coach since 2017 and built one of the most respected programs in collegiate hockey.
"Cara brings exceptional experience at all levels of the game, a deep understanding of player development, and an unwavering passion for advancing women's sports," said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "Her track record at Princeton speaks for itself – instilling a strong culture, recruiting top talent, developing elite athletes, and winning championships. Cara becoming General Manager of PWHL Vancouver is a powerful addition to our league."
Under Gardner Morey's leadership, the Princeton Tigers captured their first ECAC tournament title, won an Ivy League championship, made multiple NCAA quarterfinal appearances, and set a program record with 26 wins in a single season. She is the second-winningest coach in Princeton history.
"I'm incredibly honored to step into the role of General Manager and lead the PWHL team in Vancouver," said Gardner Morey. "It's a privilege to help bring the best women's hockey to one of the greatest cities in the world. We'll build a team that reflects Vancouver's passionate spirit - one that competes for the Walter Cup and becomes part of the city's fabric. I can't wait to get started. Let's build something incredible together, Vancouver!"
Throughout her career, Gardner Morey has played a central role in developing top-tier talent at both the collegiate and international levels. Among the many athletes she has coached are Olympic gold medalists and current PWHL standouts Sarah Fillier and Claire Thompson. She has held coaching roles with Hockey Canada at the U18, Development, and Senior National Team levels, and has also served as a development camp coach with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers for the past four years.
A native of Hensall, ON and graduate of Brown University, Gardner Morey was a two-sport All-American in ice hockey and field hockey. She played professional hockey in the original NWHL and holds a Master's of Education from Arizona State University. A tireless advocate for equity in sport, Gardner Morey has dedicated her career to mentoring the next generation and advancing the visibility and impact of women's hockey.
Gardner Morey will lead PWHL Vancouver into its inaugural 2025–26 season. Following the submission of protected player lists from the inaugural six teams, the league's two expansion teams will be granted a five-day exclusive window to sign a maximum of five players, beginning June 4 at 9 a.m. ET. The 2025 Expansion Draft, presented by Upper Deck, will take place June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Details about media availability with Gardner Morey to follow.
About the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL)
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that features the best women's players in the world. It is comprised of eight teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. Launched on Jan. 1, 2024, the PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide all-time record for a women's hockey game. In 2024, the PWHL was recognized by Sports Business Journal as the Sports Breakthrough of the Year and received the top position in the first-ever Canadian edition of the Harris Poll, which ranks companies' reputations. Visit thepwhl.com to purchase tickets and merchandise, and subscribe to the PWHL e-newsletter to receive the latest league updates. Follow the league on all social media platforms @thepwhlofficial.
PWHL, the PWHL Logo, and PWHL team names and logos are trademarks of the PWHL. © PWHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.
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