Derek Hutton has been hired as the new assistant coach for the Nipawin Hawks. (submitted/Nipawin Hawks)

By Nigel Maxwell

Leadership change

Nipawin Hawks name new assistant coach

Jun 4, 2024 | 2:57 PM

The man who will join Nipawin Hawks Head Coach Tad Kozun behind the bench next season, is promising to push the pace on the ice and build relationships with the players.

Derek Hutton has been named the team’s new assistant coach. The 31-year-old has climbed the coaching ranks in and around his hometown of Sherwood Park, Alta., but is now looking at taking his “hobby” to a full time professional level.

“It’s a lot harder than you think it is to find those opportunities,” he said, adding he’s grateful for the opportunity from Tad to grow with the organization and in the community. Hutton also noted the significance of joining the team during their 40th season.

(Submittted/ Clark Stork)

After playing played minor hockey in the Sherwood Park area, Hutton spent one season with the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL. Health concerns brought him back home and he won a championship with the Sherwood Park Knights.

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Noting his love for the game was still very high, Hutton’s coaching career started soon after when he was invited by a close friend to help the local bantam AA team.

“I kind of fell in love with coaching ever since,” he admitted.

Working his way up the coaching ranks and gaining a wealth of knowledge from his colleagues, Hutton was more recently head coach of the Sherwood Park Kings AAA U18 team.

Hutton takes over for Levi Stuart who joined the Rocky Mountain House Wranglers of the KIJHL in British Columbia. When asked what he enjoyed most about the SJHL, Hutton replied he liked the importance placed on developing and giving opportunities to Saskatchewan born players and hometown kids.

“And that’s something I really believe in, building from within a community and being able to build a program without having to reach too far elsewhere,” he said.

And with respect to what the Hawks players can expect from Hutton as.a coach, he explained first and foremost it’s about fun

“Everybody’s got to be having fun and enjoying their time the rink”, he said adding players who are not enjoying their time at the rink won’t put out the same level of effort.

– with files from Clark Stork

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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