A local USA Hockey legend is taking the reins of one of the PWHL's newest franchises.
The league announced Friday that Meghan Duggan was named general manager of its new expansion franchise in Hamilton, Ontario.
The Danvers, Mass., native is one of the most accomplished women's players in USA Hockey history.
Duggan captained Team USA to gold in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang in addition to silver medals in 2014 (Sochi) and 2010 (Vancouver). The 38-year-old also won seven world championship gold medals, including three-peats from 2007-2009 and 2015-2017. She also earned a silver in 2007.
“Meghan has been an effective leader at every stage of her career, and she is a rising star in the front office ranks,” PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford said. “Meghan’s long list of on-ice achievements, coupled with her extensive background in development and community-building, make her a seamless fit to guide PWHL Hamilton into its first season.”
In 2017, Duggan also led a boycott against USA Hockey over inequitable support, conditions and wages for women's players.
Since retiring in 2020, Duggan has spent the past five seasons in player development with the New Jersey Devils, including serving as director of player development since 2022. She's also served as a member of the PWHL's player safety committee as well as a special consultant to hockey operations since 2024.
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“I’m incredibly honored and energized to join PWHL Hamilton as general manager,” Duggan said. “This league represents the future of women’s professional sports and the opportunity to help build a team, culture, and identity from the ground up is a privilege. I’ve always believed winning cultures are developed through a commitment to strong relationships, trust, accountability, and consistent daily habits, and these principles will guide everything we do. Hamilton is a passionate sports city with a rich hockey tradition, and my goal is to create an environment where players can thrive and compete for a championship.”
As a player, Duggan played prep hockey at Cushing, where she won the school's Bette Davis Award three times, given to the best female athlete in her class, before a decorated collegiate career at Wisconsin.
In four seasons with the Badgers, Duggan put up 238 points (108 goals) in 159 games. She won the Patty Kazmaier Award as the nation's top player in 2011, following an 87 points (39 goals) in 41 games as a senior. She also played six seasons professionally for the CWHL's Boston Blades and the NWHL's Buffalo Beauts and Boston Pride.
Duggan will be tasked with building Hamilton's staff and roster for its inaugural season in 2026-27, as the franchise — plus fellow expansion teams in Detroit, Las Vegas and San Jose — joins the league's current teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver.
The PWHL is yet to formally announce its "comprehensive roster building process" for the expansion franchises. The PWHL Draft will be held June 17 in Detroit.
