Coaching carousel continues

by Jacob Bestebroer - Chilliwack Progress

August 28, 2007

In the Western Hockey League summer equals change. Players graduate from the league and move on to pro or university hockey.

Trades are made. European players are drafted. And every summer one or two teams make a change at the head coaching position.

But did anyone expect the amount of changes that have taken place behind team benches since the end of last season?

Seven, that’s right, a full one third of the league’s teams have seen a change made at the head coach position.
In the East Division, the Moose Jaw Warriors who last year missed the playoffs just one season after making it to the league finals hired Dave Hunchak as their new bench boss.

Hunchak’s credentials are impressive. In addition to spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Swift Current Broncos, Hunchak was the video coach for the 2006 World Junior Champion Canadian team.
Prior to joining the Broncos he was the head coach of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Kindersley Klippers, leading them to two league titles.

The Prince Albert Raiders found their new head coach in Penticton. Bruno Campese will call the shots for the Raiders after three seasons as head coach of the BCHL’s Penticton Vees.

Campese is no stranger to the WHL — he was a member of the 1983 Memorial Cup Champion Portland Winter Hawks and was an assistant coach with the Calgary Hitmen from 2002 through 2004.

The Kootenay Ice also found their new head coach in the BCHL, luring Mark Holick away from the Vernon Vipers. Holick replaces Cory Clouston who moved on to the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League.

Chilliwack hockey fans may remember Holick from his days behind the bench of the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles where he led them to the national championship in 1998.

The Red Deer Rebels have seen one Sutter move on and another one take over the head coaching position. Brent Sutter is the new coach of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, making room for his brother Brian. Brian Sutter spent 13 years as a head coach at the NHL level most recently with the Chicago Blackhawks and was named the NHL’s Coach of the Year in 1991 with the St.Louis Blues.

The Everett Silvertips have said goodbye to Kevin Constantine. Constantine, who had been the ‘Tips bench boss since they joined the WHL in 2003 is now the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros.
Taking over in Everett is John Becanic. Becanic is no stranger to the Silvertips having been Constantine’s right hand man since day one.

Rich Kromm has taken the reigns in Portland from Mike Williamson. For Kromm, it’s a return to the team that he captained to the Memorial Cup championship in 1983.

Kromm has WHL coaching experience, having spent three years as the head coach in Calgary between 2002 and 2005.

The Kelowna Rockets have promoted Ryan Huska to the head coaching position.

Huska spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach with the Rockets.

He also spent four seasons as a player in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers, winning three Memorial Cups over a four year span in the early 90’s.

Huska, at 32 years of age is the youngest coach in the WHL but don’t let his age fool you. He’s a proven champion who is well respected by his players.