The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hockey program has been a huge success since it entered the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League three years ago. The WolfPack are hoping to continue that good fortune as they have hired veteran hockey man Don Schulz as their third head coach.
Schulz is a former player and assistant coach with the old Cariboo College Chiefs (1980's) who competed in the CCAA Nationals 4 years in a row. He most recently led the Kamloops Jardine "AAA" Bantam Blazers to a successful season in 2010-11 which included winning the prestigious Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament. He replaces 2010-11 BCIHL Coach of the Year Lorne Cumming who stepped down after this past season due to family commitments.
‘Pack General Manager Chris Hans says: "A number of well qualified applicants applied for the position but it became apparent that Don was a great fit for our program. He is an exceptional coach who is technically proficient, is an effective communicator and motivator and is someone who brings strong leadership skills to our program."
Schulz has coached in the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association for a number of years as well as scouting for the last six years with the Western Hockey League Tri City Americans. He has relinquished his duties with the Americans to concentrate on the WolfPack and his job as General Manager with Strauss Herb Company. He is married to wife Carman-Anne and has two sons Duncan and Connor; all are active in the community. “I have come full circle returning after coaching here many years ago with then well known Head Coach Terry Bangen.”
Schulz says his type of team will be hard working and disciplined. He stresses puck possession similar to the NHL Detroit Red Wings. “We will concentrate on transition and puck control. It’s proven to be very successful at the various levels I have coached at in the past.”
“I am familiar with a lot of the players from either scouting or coaching them in minor hockey or at various junior levels,’ he states. Schulz was an assistant coach with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Kamloops Storm two seasons ago.
Schulz has first hand experience with the life of a student athlete, finishing his academic career playing with the UBC Thunderbirds in the old CIAU. “Student athletes have the responsibilities of an adult. They take on a full course load, study and in a lot of cases, live away from home. Adding to that they take on the responsibilities and time commitments associated with varsity sport. It’s a crash course in time management and it takes a lot of self-discipline. Although this team is not considered varsity yet, it is how I am going to run the program.”
He doesn’t think it’ll be a big adjustment returning to coaching young men after dealing with bantam aged players last year. “Yes, the WolfPack are all young men, but I have a good understanding of what their experiencing at TRU. I have gone through the student-athlete scenario myself having been an ex-player here and with the UBC Thunderbirds.”
“My two predecessors have done an excellent job in building the foundation of this program. I am looking forward to building on their success with the TRU WolfPack and see if I can improve on the bridesmaid streak," he concludes.
Schulz is expected to name his assistant coaching staff in the near future. The WolfPack won the BCIHL regular season title in 2010-11 and finished second in the playoffs for the second straight year. Training camp will commence in September.
VICTORIA
SIMON FRASER
OKANAGAN
LOGAN LAKE
VANCOUVER ISLAN.
