The Search Begins

There isn't a lot in the hockey world that Danielle Goyette hasn't accomplished. When it comes to winning Olympic gold medals, World Championship gold medals, and being one of the best players in the world, her resumé has all that on it for a number of years. If we're talking about coaching, Goyette led the Dinos to a CIS National Championship and has her team poised for another run at glory this season based on the roster she has assembled. Again, there isn't much left for Danielle Goyette to accomplish in the hockey world, but she got to cross another major event off her hockey bucket list today with the major announcements that came out of both Calgary and Toronto.

If you missed the news, the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs made a couple of moves regarding their operations. With her taking medical residence in Toronto thanks to her new doctorate in medicine, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser was promoted by the Maple Leafs to the position of senior director of player development. Alongside that move, the Leafs also announced that they had hired Danielle Goyette as the director of player development, reuniting the former Dinos coach and former Dinos player to lead the Leafs' development staff moving forward!

Honestly, both women deserve these positions based on their bodies of work within the game, but they also should be credited with how much work they've put into being students of the game that has allowed them to seek these positions with the walls of the NHL. While there will be some learning on the job like any other employee, there should be no questioning the dedication and work ethic both have shown in ascending to the top levels of the sport.

For Dr. Wickenheiser, her transition into the new position won't be a huge adjustment as she has been serving as assistant director of player development since August 2018. For Goyette, however, it means she has to resign her position as head coach of the Calgary Dinos women's hockey program where she had coached for fourteen years. She will be relocating to Toronto where coaching the Dinos will not be possible.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make," Goyette stated. "I loved my job, I loved working at the University of Calgary. I have grown a lot as a person and as a coach, and I had the chance to work with so many great people. I feel fortunate to have had a chance to make a difference for so many young hockey players.

"On the other hand, what an honour to have a chance to work for one of the best sports organizations in the world. This opportunity was too good to pass up – it's a new challenge and I'm looking forward to working with the Maple Leafs and the Marlies. Changing cities and positions will be an adjustment, but I'm looking forward to the next chapter."

Congratulations to both Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser and Danielle Goyette as the two University of Calgary Dinos will work together in developing future Maple Leafs, but Goyette's new role means there's a massive hole to fill on the bench for the Calgary Dinos with Canada West hockey getting set to resume in October. The head coaching role will have to filled soon with players returning to campus in late August and early September, and it's almost certain that the new coach will want to change systems and implement systems of his or her own for this season.

As the Dinos stated in their release, a national search will commence immediately as they look to fill the vacancy on the bench, but I'm sure there will be some fairly recognizable names that step up and make it known they have interest. Might we see an Erin Ambrose leave Concordia to move to Calgary where she was once a Hockey Canada team member? Erica Kromm works in the same city as an assistant coach at Mount Royal, so perhaps she'll want a shot at coaching the Dinos?

Of course, there may be non-Team Canada people who want the job as well, and I can't see the University of Calgary hiring just anyone who doesn't come in with an impeccable coaching record. There may even be retired international hockey people who want the chance to coach at the highest non-international level of hockey that Canada has to offer. Might we see people like Florence Schelling, Ralph Krueger, or a coach from the upcoming Women's World Championship join the Dinos?

If the Dinos wanted to fill the spot quickly, there is a guy in southern Alberta who has Canada West experience sitting at home right now. Doug Paisley, formerly of the Lethbridge Pronghorns women's hockey program, would be one name that I'd hope the Dinos consider if he expresses interest as Paisley did a good job at Lethbridge before the bottom fell out on him, his staff, and the players.

Again, I'm just spitballing here, but the options are wide open for the Dinos when it comes to a new head coach. It won't be the same seeing the Calgary Dinos in town without Danielle Goyette at the helm, but I can't fault her for jumping at this opportunity. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at this point, and I hope she makes the most of it like she did at the University of Calgary where she'll be missed.

It's the dawn of a new age in Calgary as the Dinos will have new faces both on the bench and behind it in 2021-22. Can the new coach, whomever that may be, lead the Dinos back to the top of the food chain in U SPORTS? We'll have our answer this winter!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!