The Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) have officially signed a full time assistant coach. Mat Hehr came on board with the Terriers last week, and has a lot of experience to offer.
Hehr started out playing junior hockey in Sherwood Park, AB., which is where he is originally from. From there, his hockey career took him to an NCAA Division III team at Fredonia State University of New York for four years. After he finished playing at Fredonia, he took a coaching position in Canton, NY. From there he accepted an assistant coaching position in the SJHL with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, which is where he’s been for the last year and a half. The timing for this position with the Terriers came at a good time for Hehr, and he knew it’d be a good fit.
“The town and the support [the Terriers] have behind them, there’s just such a rich history behind the whole organization. There’s so much potential and it’s an exciting time to be part of it,” Hehr said on Sunday night after the Terriers beat the Estevan Bruins on home ice.
Hehr’s first game with the Terriers was on Wednesday, Nov. 9 when the Terriers beat the Weyburn Red Wings. He’s been with the team for three games now, and in those games holds a 3-0 record. Hehr said he certainly can’t complain about a start like that.
When asked what kind of coach he is, Hehr said he focuses on the defensive end of play.
“I like the coaching style where they cut down time and space, and play a gritty and aggressive game. I just try to push them to play that way,” he said.
Terriers head coach and GM Casey O’Brien said the timing of the position being posted wasn’t ideal, but he’s pleased with the selection he made.
“Mat was one of the few candidates who had experience in the SJHL. Coming from La Ronge, he knows everybody. He knows what we’re about and he knows the league, so it was a smoother transition than maybe for someone else,” said O’Brien. “I’m very, very happy with him.”
Next weekend, the Terriers head to La Ronge where Hehr will take on his former team in his former arena, and has hopes of continuing his winning streak with the Terriers.
