In choosing her new head coach, Seattle Torrent general manager Meghan Turner obviously channeled the wise words of a young Kansas woman, Dorothy Gale.
“If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard.”
The new wizard behind the Torrent curtain bench is a woman who was already there – 30-year-old Christine Bumstead, promoted from 1st year Seattle assistant.
“Christine brings a valuable combination of hockey expertise, leadership presence, and an unwavering commitment to high standards,” Turner said in a statement. “Her unique background in education and diverse coaching resume, combined with a strong natural ability to build trust and meaningful connections, make her well-suited to lead our team.”
Bumstead replaces the coach she worked for in the Torrent’s expansion season, Steve O’Rourke. O’Rourke was fired last month after winning nine of 30 games and finishing last in the league.
“Season one in Seattle was special, and I am humbled and honored to continue building on it,” said Bumstead in the same statement. “I believe Seattle is the best city in the world for women’s sports. Our fans showed up night in and night out, and it has been a privilege to be on the bench representing them.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to play a role in sparking dreams for the next generation of players. The best is still ahead for Seattle Torrent hockey, and we can’t wait to continue growing.”
New Torrent Coach’s Fateful Hunting Trip
Dad Larry Bumstead spent almost four decades in their native Manitoba running camps and clinics, coaching, and bringing hockey to indigenous and under-served communities. Larry said of his daughter’s communication skills, “No matter what age it is, I’ve seen her have conversations with younger people, people who are the same age, older people, and how she gets that message across.”
The younger Bumstead received an unlikely boost to her coaching career on a 2020 hunting trip with her father – and then-Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice. He talked hockey with Christine during a half-hour car ride.
“We got out of the car and I went, ‘That’s a coach,” Maurice recalled to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. Maurice hadn’t forgotten four years later while guiding his current team, the Florida Panthers, to back-to-back Stanley Cups. He invited Bumstead to not only contribute at Panthers training camp, but to serve behind the bench during a preseason game.
“It’s the best seats you can get,” Bumstead said at the time, even though she didn’t spend any time sitting during Florida’s game against Nashville. “It’s super special to me.”
Bumstead Juggled Three Coaching Jobs
Bumstead spent four seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Saskatchewan women’s team, while simultaneously coaching in player development with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades – the first female coach in the organization’s history. Bumstead also served as coach/GM for Canada’s women’s team at the 2024 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship.
She’s also a member of the NHL Coaches Association Female Coaches Program. “I am way more competitive as a coach than I ever was as a player,” Bumstead says. “I realized I had the juice for this way more than I ever did as a player.”
Saskatchewan head coach Steve Kook told NHLcoaches.com about a conversation with Bumstead. “I told her, ‘Listen, wherever you go, wherever you end up, you don’t ever have to worry that you short-cutted your way there. You put the work in.’ She went about it the right way.”
After observing her at that 2024 Florida training camp, Maurice concluded, “She’s going to get an opportunity to be a head coach somewhere down the line. She’ll get there. She’s way ahead of where I was at her age in terms of understanding the game, miles different. And that’s pretty cool.”
The Torrent think so, too.
(Editor’s Note: Based on a couple of recent stories on this site, the only thing missing from the author’s Wizard of Oz reference was Dorothy’s dog Toto.)
Earlier Torrent:
— Ex-Torrent Captain Says Yes To Vegas, Then Bounces
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Hire Ex-Canucks GM Allvin
