Brittany Howard named Head Coach of Mustangs Women's Hockey team

London, ON – The Western Mustangs are excited to announce Brittany Howard as the new Head Coach of the Women's Hockey team.

"I'm incredibly excited. This is a program I've admired for years, and having the opportunity to lead it, especially at a University that's been a part of my life since childhood it is truly a privilege," said Howard.

Howard played six years professionally, including time in the CWHL, PWHPA, PHF and the PWHL. Her coaching career spans the past 10 years, working in individual skill development as a skills consultant, and most recently served as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 16U and 19U girl's teams while also working as a skills professional within the organization.



"After a nationwide search, the hiring committee is very pleased to welcome Brittany as our Mustang Women's Hockey Head Coach," said Christine Stapleton, Mustangs Director of Sports and Recreation. "Her mix of collegiate and professional playing experience, with her coaching accolades, made her a tremendous selection to lead our Women's program into the future." 

Howard has also contributed to high-performance programs such as Hockey Detail, Victus Academy, and Everest Academy. Most recently, she was a guest coach at the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Player Development Camp in early July, further showcasing her expertise and ability to work alongside the game's top athletes and coaches.

"Western has always held a special place in my life, both of my parents are alumni, and I grew up knowing the strong traditions and pride that come with being part of this University," said Howard. "The chance to lead a program with such a rich history, in a place that already feels like home, was incredibly appealing. I'm passionate about building a team that excels on the ice, in the classroom, and in the community, and Western provides the perfect environment to make that happen."

Howard played her collegiate career at Robert Morris University from 2013 to 2018, becoming the program's all-time leading scorer with 181 points (79 goals, 102 assists) in 138 games. A two-time College Hockey America (CHA) Player of the Year and scoring champion, she was named a Second Team All-American in 2018, a top-ten finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, and the 2017 Dapper Dan Sportswoman of the Year.



"I'd describe my coaching style as collaborative, detail-oriented, and development-focused. I believe in holding players to a high standard while giving them the tools and support to reach their full potential." said Howard. "I want a group that takes pride in representing Western, plays for each other, and embraces a positive culture on and off the ice."

Howard is also heavily connected to the London region and the local hockey community, having played minor hockey in the London Devilettes organization.

"With the recent rise in prominence and attention on Women's Hockey, we are so excited to have someone of the calibre of Howard come to Western and lead our program," said CJ Ireland, Mustangs Director of Sport. "We were so impressed with Brittany during the hiring process and look forward to her coming to campus and being ingrained with our student athletes ahead of the 2025-26 season,"

Howard and her new team will drop the puck on the 2025-26 season on October 10 when the Mustangs start the season on the road against York. Western's home opener is set for Oct. 17 at 7:00 pm at Thompson Arena. Fans can find the full schedule HERE