Latest news with #DustinFriesen
Ottawa Citizen
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Meet the new Calgary Hitmen coaches: Dustin Friesen named 13th bench boss
Dustin Friesen admits his road to becoming a bench boss wasn't by way of a typical hockey route. Article content There were many stops and years playing the game — nine, in fact, over a whopping 20 seasons — compared to just a handful teaching the sport. And even at that, the Saskatchewan native has only been a head coach of high-school talent. Article content Article content But that didn't stop the Calgary Hitmen from making him the 13th head coach of the storied Western Hockey League franchise. Article content Article content 'Yeah … they had some interest in my experience, which I think is fairly unique experience, I would say,' said Friesen, who was named to the gig by the Hitmen last Friday a few weeks after Paul McFarland returned to the NHL after one season leading the WHL club. Article content Article content 'Both as a player, which is probably not the most traditional route for coaching, and the same thing as a coach, I've been in different leagues,' continued Friesen. 'And coaching in the Prairie Hockey Academy and working with young players and building a program has given me a bit of a unique background. But I think it's been valuable in my journey.' Article content Friesen joins the Hitmen on a multi-year deal after a standout season as associate coach of the Québec Major Junior Hockey League's Moncton Wildcats, with whom he helped lead the team to a championship and a Memorial Cup appearance. Article content 'I had a really good situation in Moncton,' said 42-year-old Friesen, a native of Waldheim, Sask. 'But, obviously, to be a head coach, that was my goal since I started coaching. Article content Article content 'And to be close to my family (wife Katherine and daughters Karen, 16, Nova, 11, and Evelyn 7 in Caronport, Sask.) in the Western league is obviously another priority.' Article content Article content Prior to his time in the Canadian Hockey League, Friesen served as head coach of the PHA's under-18 prep team of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League from 2021-24. Article content He also contributed to the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023–24 season, when the Warriors captured its first-ever league championship and competed at the Memorial Cup. Article content 'I just think when you look at where he's been, what he's done …' Davidson said. 'I mean … he's tracked through junior hockey, went to college and got a degree, and he went to Europe and played professionally there. He's been involved with two Memorial Cup teams. Article content 'I guess the only thing really hasn't been a head coach before, but I don't have any issues with that. I think he's going to come in here and just carry on with what he's been doing here, only he'll be the guy in charge, and I know all of us around him will give him all the support he needs.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary Hitmen name Dustin Friesen head coach
The Calgary Hitmen hired Dustin Friesen as their next head coach Friday. The American Hockey League (AHL) club made the announcement in a media release. They also named Brad Moran and Dakota Krebs assistant coaches. 'We are excited to welcome Dustin as our new head coach,' said Hitmen 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.' '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.' WHL news – former associate coach of the QMJHL champion Moncton Wildcats Dustin Friesen will be the next head coach of the Calgary Hitmen. — Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) July 22, 2025 Moncton Friesen comes from the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he helped lead the team to a QMJHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup. Prior to that, Friesen coached the Prairie Hockey Academy's U18 team from 2021 to 2024, and contributed to the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2023-24 season when the Warriors won the WHL championship. Moran has spent the seven years with the Calgary Canucks, including six as head coach and general manager, helping guide the club to two AJHL championships and a Centennial Cup championship in 2025. Moran is also the Hitmen's all-time leader in games played (357), goals, assists and points -- 450, including 204 goals and 246 assists -- during five seasons with the club from 1995 to 2000. Krebs returns to the staff after spending last season as video coach. Prior to that, Krebs spent four years with the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey program, serving as assistant captain for two seasons. Other returning coaches include goaltending coach Theodore Zubot and strength and conditioning coach Sean Hope-Ross.
