The Bonnyville Pontiacs have a new Assistant Coach for the upcoming season in Darick Ste-Marie.
33-year-old Ste-Marie spent last year coaching minor hockey as a part of the Cree Nation Bears program, that emphasizes high-end development for Cree Nation players in Quebec. Ste-Marie also has experience playing in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), the FHL (Federal Hockey League) and the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League).
The new Assistant Coach also founded his own company D Hockey Coach to help develop hockey stars in the offseason.
Associate General Manager Chad Nelson says that Ste-Marie checked a lot of the boxes the organization was looking for to support Head Coach Mario Pouliot for the 2023-24 AJHL season.
“Darick comes to us with not only a coaching background, but years of playing in the QMJHL and professionally,” said Nelson. “He also does extensive skills work along with having experience on the strength and conditioning side.”
Ste-Marie says he is really excited to start working with the players and build relationships with them.
“My experience as a player alongside the love I have in helping others to grow will be very beneficial for the players and team. I strongly believe that the better every single player becomes, the better our team will be,’ said Ste-Marie.
Head Coach Mario Pouliot noted the new coach will work closely with the forwards on every situation.
“I want him to work closely with our forwards because he was a forward when he was playing professionally. He just stopped playing a few years ago and I want him to be very comfortable. He’s going to be very helpful to our forward group to make sure they improve in the right way. Darick is a good people person and an effective communicator. He’s a fierce competitor that wants to win, but for me, it’s his drive and desire to see his players win along with his experience that makes him a great pick for our team.”
Ste-Marie will join Pouliot and the rest of the Pontiacs at the organization’s annual “2 Person Scramble” Golf Tournament on August 19th, 2023.
This now leaves only one remaining coaching position open as the Pontiacs head closer and closer to the first puck drop.
