Chris Mast

Don Hay Returns to Kamloops as Winterhawks Assistant Coach

The Portland Winterhawks have a new, yet familiar face behind their bench this season. Don Hay joined head coach Mike Johnston’s coaching staff as an assistant coach after coaching in Kamloops.

Danny Flynn previously held the position, but took a scouting position with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL shortly before the season. Flynn is a successful, accomplished CHL coach and left a void few coaches could possibly fill. However, bringing in the WHL’s all-time winningest coach (750) and 3-time Memorial Cup winner may be the only exception.

The Kamloops native comes to the Winterhawks after 19 seasons coaching Kamloops, Vancouver, and Tri-City in the WHL. Don also has two years of NHL coaching experience with Calgary and Arizona.

This week Portland plays two games in Kamloops and Hay will return to his hometown for the first time since joining Johnston and Portland. Don is excited for the trip, “I’m looking forward to going back to Kamloops and to see my family. I’ve been gone for a while now, so I get a chance to see them.”

Don expects the games to be a tough match-up for Portland, “Kamloops has a good group there and a new coaching staff. They are ready to make a step and will continue to improve; will be a challenge for us.”

Going back to Kamloops with a different team isn’t new for Hay, as he also returned while coaching Vancouver and Tri-City. “This time will be different though” Don commented, “each time you are with a new team is a new situation.”

The role of assistant coach is new this season for Hay, but he does have previous experience, “being an assistant coach is different, something I haven’t done in a long time. I have done it in the past as it was how I got my start in the league. Five years with Ken Hitchcock and two years with Tom Renney. I was an assistant coach in the NHL for a couple years as well. It isn’t totally new to me, but it is exciting where you get the players in a different capacity. I’ve really enjoyed that opportunity.”

(photo-Portland Winterhawks)

The biggest adjustments for Hay so far have been “working with a new coaching staff and learning this role. Johnston and Kyle [Gustafson] have kept me pretty busy.” He has been working with his new players in a different capacity, but one he finds enjoyable.

Mike Johnston was excited to bring Don onto his coaching staff, “I’ve been so fortunate here having Travis Green, Kyle Gustafson, Danny Flynn, and now Don Hay; it’s kind of a treat I get to work with these guys.  Sometimes as a coach, if you’ve been coaching for a while, you want to make sure you challenge yourself to be better. These guys have such great coaching experiences. He [Don Hay] can challenge us, look at what we do, help us out. He is excited to be here.”

Mike Johnston (photo-Dayna Fjord)

Don still has the passion for coaching and Johnston shared proof, “we were getting ready for training camp, Don was in Kamloops at a function. I asked him if he would be able to make it down for the first ice session with our young kids, our prospects. He got up at 3:00 in the morning and drove all the way to Portland. Don told me, ‘I will make sure I’m there for the first ice session.’ That shows you his passion to coach. He loves coaching, he’s very passionate, he wants to coach.” Sure enough, Hay made the 460+ mile trip to Portland in time for the first session.

The opportunity to continue coaching is one Don is thankful for, “I really enjoy being able to coach in this league and it’s a great league; quality owners and great players. I’m really excited to be going back to Kamloops.”