Behind the Bench: François Méthot Looks to Lead the Boston Fleet to a Walter Cup
Written by Ryan McAvoy
BOSTON – Following an impressive third season in the PWHL, the Boston Fleet have hired former AHL center François Méthot as their new head coach. The move comes after former head coach Kris Sparre departed to lead expansion franchise PWHL Hamilton.
Méthot becomes the third head coach in Fleet history after Boston finished second in the regular-season standings before falling to Ottawa in the semifinals. Now, the organization hopes he can guide the franchise to its first Walter Cup championship.
Selected 54th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1996 NHL Draft, Méthot never appeared in a regular-season game with Buffalo. Instead, he spent two additional seasons with the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes before joining the AHL's Rochester Americans. During his five seasons with the Amerks, he averaged 15.4 goals and 37.4 points per year.
He later spent one season with the Portland Pirates before continuing his career in Germany's DEL, the country's top professional league. Although he was traded five times during his DEL career, he spent the majority of his tenure with Adler Mannheim. Throughout his professional career, Méthot consistently recorded more assists than goals, establishing himself as a reliable playmaker and dependable teammate.
After retiring, Méthot transitioned behind the bench, coaching the Rochester Jr. Americans of the NAHL. Under his leadership, the Amerks captured the East Division regular-season title during the 2024-25 season. He also founded the Rochester Ice Center Hockey Academy in 2017, helping young players develop their skills and prepare for the next level.
While this will be Méthot's first coaching opportunity in the PWHL, it will not be his first time working with protected defender Haley Winn. He previously coached Winn at Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, where he helped develop her game and build her confidence.
"I started coaching a team and Haley Winn was on it. She was an elite athlete just through her commitment and her passion for the game," said Méthot during a Boston Fleet press conference while addressing his hire.
His familiarity with one of the Fleet's cornerstone players gives the organization reason for optimism, particularly after the expansion draft reshaped much of the roster. Boston also protected captain and defender Megan Keller along with goaltender Aerin Frankel, two foundational players who have been with the franchise since the league's inaugural season. Their leadership should provide Méthot with a strong foundation as he begins his tenure behind the bench.
With Winn anchoring an already talented blue line, Méthot can turn his attention toward strengthening Boston's offensive attack, led by Susanna Tapani, while keeping the Fleet firmly in Walter Cup contention after last season's semifinal exit.
As for the culture the Fleet have established over the past three seasons, Méthot has no intention of changing what already works.
"The foundation is there, the culture is there, it would be foolish of me to come in and say, hey we're going to change everything and do it my way," Méthot said during the Fleet press conference.
