Former Saints skipper signs as Bruins new coach, GM
By Boundary Sentinel
New owner, now a new head coach.
The Grand Forks Border Bruins recently welcomed the hockey team’s new head coach and GM for the upcoming Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
Former Selkirk College Saints skipper, Dave Hnatiuk, joins the Boundary City squad after spending the last two seasons as the Head Coach of the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) team.
“Developing hockey players, building positive cultures inside healthy environments, and helping young men develop into good people is something I take great pride in,” Hnatiuk said in a media release on the Bruins’ website.
“Having the opportunity to lead the Border Bruins and further develop hockey skills, systems, and tactics to a group of young men with common goals in mind is extremely rewarding,” added Hnatiuk, who also spent three years as the Assistant Coach for the University of Regina Cougars Mens Hockey Team (USPORT).
Most recently, local physician Dr. Mark Szynkaruk took over the ownership of the Boundary City Jr. B Hockey Club.
Prior to his coaching roles Hnatiuk was an instructor and evaluator with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association and brings a wealth of experience as a former player in various leagues such as the SJHL, USPORT, CHL, WPHL and Sweden’s Professional 2nd Division.
“The opportunity to stay in the Kootenays was an easy decision for us (wife Tina and son Magnus),” Hnatiuk said.
“The people we have met and relationships that we have been able to make here in the Kootenays have been nothing but short of fantastic. We are excited to get settled and look forward to being involved in the community of Grand Forks.”
Hnatiuk said part of the process will be focusing on creating an environment where work ethic, accountability, culture, and structure are the staples to each day’s approach.
“Paying attention to the details while aligning ourselves with our values and goals of our program we will represent the Border Bruins and our community in a positive and professional manner.”
Now that BC has released its COVID-19 restart program, the KIJHL is expected to announced plans for the upcoming season following the annual general meeting.
