Trent Cassan is an important name in Yorkton Terriers history.
He spent six full seasons as head coach of the Terriers from 2010 to 2016, as well as a partial season as interim head coach (2009-10). He was an associate general manager from 2010 to 2014, and the general manager from 2014 to 2016. He also spent a couple of years as assistant coach.
During his reign, he led the Terriers to the club’s first-ever RBC Cup as Canada’s national junior A champions in 2014. He also guided the team to two Canasta Cups, in 2013 and 2014.
He was the co-recipient of the SJHL coach-of-the-year award for the 2012-13 season.
In early September of 2016, Cassan moved on in the hockey world and accepted an assistant-coaching position with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.
While preparing for his second season in the WHL, Cassan reflected on his first year in the league.
“It was really enjoyable,” Cassan said, also adding that he learned a lot as a coach.
“We had a really good staff. Our head coach, Mark French, was excellent to work with. He was just a really good communicator with the players,” offered Cassan.
Cassan said he still has a lot to learn, but he’s able to do that every day.
With French moving on to a new opportunity in Switzerland, Cassan said he’s sad to see him go, but he understands the desire for progression.
In July, Dallas Ferguson was named the Hitmen’s new head coach. Cassan said he looked forward to working with him.
The Hitmen had a 30-32-8-2 record in the 2016-17 regular season. They made it to the playoffs after a wild-card series, but fell short and were swept in the first round.
Now that he has one WHL season under his belt, Cassan discussed how he found the transition from the SJHL to the major-junior ranks.
“One of the major adjustments was a busier schedule,” he said, explaining that they play more games and travel more frequently in the WHL. “You go on the road, and a lot of the time you’re on the road for a week or more.”
He also added that there’s more time devoted to coaching, and more specialized roles since there’s a higher volume of staff.
Cassan said overall it was a good transition.
Although he had a great season in the WHL, Cassan said there are some things he misses about Yorkton — most notably the people.
“One thing that’s a little bit different with Calgary is, in Yorkton it’s a smaller center. So you get to know sponsors, billets, season- ticket holders in Yorkton more than you would in Calgary,” he said.
“When you’re in Yorkton for eight years, you get to really connect with the people in the small town – the people who put a lot of time into the organization.”
It seems as though Cassan will always carry a piece of the Yorkton Terriers with him as he progresses in his hockey career, and it’s safe to say that his name will always be an important one in franchise history.
