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Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Meet the new Calgary Hitmen coaches: Dustin Friesen named 13th bench boss
Article content Friesen brings a wealth of experience from an 11-year professional career as a player, including three seasons in the American Hockey League and eight seasons in Germany, with whom he served as captain of ERC Ingolstadt and won a DEL2 Championship. Article content Before turning pro, he spent five seasons with the University of New Brunswick Reds, captaining the program to two U SPORTS' titles. Article content And before that, he played for four seasons with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos. Article content 'He's played both forward and defence,' added Davidson of Friesen. 'That's an interesting appreciation for both positions.' Article content One assistant joining Friesen is a Hitmen legend. Article content Brad Moran is arguably the best player ever to play for the club, as the franchise leader in games played (357), goals (204), assists (246) and points (450) during his five-year career from 1995-2000. His iconic No. 20 is the only jersey number retired by the organization. Article content Article content Moran has since helped turn around the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Calgary Canucks, transitioning them quickly from a weak team in the Tier 2 junior loop into a powerhouse that culminated in May with a Centennial Cup title after capturing two straight AJHL championships. Moran spent seven years with the Canucks. Article content 'Brad is a real good fit with the whole group, because he's a guy that knows what the offence is all about,' Davidson said. 'He achieved big-time at the Western league and professionally offensively. Article content 'And I really watched him the last couple of years lead the Canucks here. Got to go out and watch games. I'm sure he's going to really help us with forwards, and I'm sure he'll be heavily involved with a power play, from what I gather.' Article content Helping to coach up the defence is Friesen's other assistant in Dakota Krebs, who gets a promotion from being the team's video coach last season. Article content Article content A former Hitmen defenceman, Krebs played for the club from 2018-20 following three seasons with the WHL's Tri-City Americans. He later spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos, with whom he served as an assistant captain for two seasons and earned a bachelor of commerce degree. Article content 'I'm really excited about both Brad and Dakota,' Friesen said. 'Both are Calgary Hitmen alumni, which I think is a really important piece. They already have that pride instilled in them after both having really good careers with the Calgary Hitmen. So I think that's part of building the program and building the team. Article content 'So you have that investment from the coaching staff that's just contagious with the players, and then obviously that leads to a high-performance atmosphere. And what we're trying to develop here in Calgary.' Article content McFarland got offered a gig he couldn't refuse — that from the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, joining head coach Kris Knoblauch behind the bench as an assistant. He'll help coach the forwards and be responsible for the much-vaunted power play. Article content 'We knew Paul was interviewing for jobs,' Davidson said. 'So it wasn't like we were caught sort of asleep. We weren't caught asleep. We were making sure that we were looking at some potential people out there, and so we had a bit of a short list. But that short-list got even shorter because we did lose some candidates that took other jobs. Article content But that's the way it goes. Article content 'And from Day 1, we identified Dustin as a real quality candidate.' Article content McFarland's two assistants also left the Hitmen, as Ben Wilson stepped away from coaching to pursue personal opportunities and David Liffiton moved over to the AHL's Calgary Wranglers to become an assistant coach with them. Article content 'I think we're all about moving people on, whether it's players or staff,' Davidson said. 'So … yeah … it's positive. Article content 'But it also comes with having to figure out what we're going to do going forward, which I think we've now got figured out.' Article content 'I knew that Paul had some potential opportunities in the American League, and obviously, the Edmonton job came up,' added Friesen. 'They reached out to me … and I'm very excited and honoured to be in this position.'
Ottawa Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Calgary Hitmen name Dustin Friesen 12th head coach in franchise history
Article content The Calgary Hitmen announce Dustin Freisen as the 12th head coach in franchise history. Article content 'We are excited to welcome Dustin as our new head coach,' said general manager Garry Davidson. 'He is a proven winner at every level in his playing career and has had a direct impact on championship teams in the past two seasons.' Article content Article content 'He has a passion to develop players and to create a strong culture. We know he will lead and guide our team and build on our progression and success from last season.' Article content Friesen joins the Hitmen on a multi-year deal after a standout season as associate coach of the Moncton Wildcats, where he helped lead the team to a QMJHL championship and a Memorial Cup appearance. Prior to his time in the CHL, Friesen served as head coach of the Prairie Hockey Academy's U18 Prep team (CSSHL) from 2021 to 2024. He also contributed to the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023–24 season, capturing the teams first-ever WHL championship. Article content Article content Friesen brings a wealth of experience from an 11-year professional playing career, including three seasons in the AHL and eight seasons in Germany, where he served as captain of ERC Ingolstadt and won a DEL2 championship. Before turning pro, he spent five seasons with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds where he captained the team to two USports titles. His junior career includes four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos. Article content Article content Article content Joining Friesen on the bench is Hitmen alumnus Brad Moran as assistant coach. Moran played five seasons with the club from 1995 to 2000. Following a successful career as a player, Moran transitioned into coaching and has spent the past seven years with the AJHL's Calgary Canucks. As head coach and general manager for the last six seasons, he guided the team to two AJHL championships and a Centennial Cup title this year. Article content Moran remains the Hitmen franchise's all-time leader in games played (357), goals, assists, and points, with an impressive 450 points (204 goals, 246 assists). His number 20 is the only jersey number retired by the organization. Article content Also returning as assistant coach is Dakota Krebs, who joined the team's coaching staff last season as video coach. A Hitmen alumnus, Krebs played for the club from 2018 to 2020 following three seasons with the Tri-City Americans. He later spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey program, where he served as an assistant captain for two seasons and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Calgary Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Calgary Hitmen name Dustin Friesen 12th head coach in franchise history
Article content The Calgary Hitmen announce Dustin Freisen as the 12th head coach in franchise history. Article content 'We are excited to welcome Dustin as our new head coach,' said general manager Garry Davidson. 'He is a proven winner at every level in his playing career and has had a direct impact on championship teams in the past two seasons.' Article content 'He has a passion to develop players and to create a strong culture. We know he will lead and guide our team and build on our progression and success from last season.' Article content Friesen joins the Hitmen on a multi-year deal after a standout season as associate coach of the Moncton Wildcats, where he helped lead the team to a QMJHL championship and a Memorial Cup appearance. Prior to his time in the CHL, Friesen served as head coach of the Prairie Hockey Academy's U18 Prep team (CSSHL) from 2021 to 2024. He also contributed to the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023–24 season, capturing the teams first-ever WHL championship. Article content Article content Friesen brings a wealth of experience from an 11-year professional playing career, including three seasons in the AHL and eight seasons in Germany, where he served as captain of ERC Ingolstadt and won a DEL2 championship. Before turning pro, he spent five seasons with the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds where he captained the team to two USports titles. His junior career includes four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos. Article content Article content Article content Joining Friesen on the bench is Hitmen alumnus Brad Moran as assistant coach. Moran played five seasons with the club from 1995 to 2000. Following a successful career as a player, Moran transitioned into coaching and has spent the past seven years with the AJHL's Calgary Canucks. As head coach and general manager for the last six seasons, he guided the team to two AJHL championships and a Centennial Cup title this year. Article content Moran remains the Hitmen franchise's all-time leader in games played (357), goals, assists, and points, with an impressive 450 points (204 goals, 246 assists). His number 20 is the only jersey number retired by the organization. Article content Also returning as assistant coach is Dakota Krebs, who joined the team's coaching staff last season as video coach. A Hitmen alumnus, Krebs played for the club from 2018 to 2020 following three seasons with the Tri-City Americans. He later spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey program, where he served as an assistant captain for two seasons and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Ottawa Citizen
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Willhöft and Scherger on board as Saskatoon Blades take on German flavour
The Saskatoon Blades are taking on a bit of a German accent. Article content With import forward David Lewandowski on board for another season, the Blades have added fellow German import forward Dustin Willhöft along with a new assistant coach, Tye Scherger, whose surname, as it turns out, is of German origin. Article content Willhöft was selected in the first round, 40th overall, of the 2025 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft held Wednesday. Article content Article content Scherger joins head coach Dan DaSilva and fellow assistant coach Andrew Sarauer behind the bench for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Article content Article content 'Tye's someone who brings fresh energy, a strong work ethic, and a modern approach to player development,' noted DaSilva. 'His passion for the game and commitment to continuous growth will be a great asset to our team culture. Article content 'We're excited to add a young, driven coach to our staff.' Article content The 24-year-old Scherger hails from Macklin, also home of recent NHL draft pick Cole Reschny (Calgary Flames). Scherger spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Melfort Mustangs, helping them to back-to-back SJHL championships and a pair of runner-up finishes at the Centennial Cup national championship in 2024 and 2025. Article content Scherger spent three seasons with the Battlefords AAA North Stars before playing with the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Olds Grizzlys and then the Melfort Mustangs. Article content Article content 'Unforgettable seasons, winning back-to- back championships,' noted Scherger, who was thankful to Mustangs coach Trevor Blevins and the Blades brass — Da Silva, general manager Colin Priestner and associate GM Steve Hildebrand — for giving him an opportunity, and trusting him, to coach at the junior level. Article content Article content Article content With Willhöft, the Blades have filled the club's third and final import roster spot ahead of the 2025-26 Western Hockey League (WHL) season. Article content Willhöft joins 20-year-old forward Dominik Petr and Lewandowski, who was recently taken by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, as import players under the 50-man roster.
Otago Daily Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Top four size each other up
The Southern Region semifinalists have been locked in with two rounds remaining of the regular season. After last weekend's results, Clutha, West Taieri, Toko and Crescent will all finish inside the top four. There is plenty of shuffle room though, as any side can still finish with a home semi spot. This weekend has the top four sides playing among themselves in what should be two fantastic encounters. First-placed Clutha host fourth-placed Crescent in a match-up that does not have to provide any extra motivation. The storied rivals will add another chapter to their history this weekend with the Centennial Cup and some extremely important competition points on the line. Crescent showed last weekend that when they play to their structure, they are nearly unstoppable. Clutha were defeated for the first time this season last weekend, which makes this match even more tasty. Second-placed West Taieri, still buoyed by their win over Clutha last weekend, head down the road to Milton to do battle with third-placed Toko, with just one point separating the two sides. West Taieri are celebrating three milestones this weekend, the most impressive being that of Dave McNeill, who brings up his 300th match in West Taieri colours in what has been a fantastic career. Toko will need to improve from last weekend if they are to have a sniff in this game and stop what is looking like a West Taieri steamroller that is only gaining momentum. The bottom four teams are also doing internecine battle, with Heriot hosting Owaka and Clutha Valley hosting Lawrence. Heriot and Valley have already locked in home semifinals in the bottom four, but their opponents are not yet set in stone. Owaka and Lawrence have played better rugby than their results suggest this season and will be keen to finish the round robin with a couple of scalps.
