Coach Trevor Stienburg (centre) with the 2019-2020 graduates of the Saint Mary’s University Men’s Hockey Team.
After two decades of accomplishments on and off the ice, Trevor "Stieny" Stienburg has stepped back from his duties as Head Coach of the Saint Mary's Huskies Men's Hockey Team.
Stienburg stepped back on June 1, 2020, which is precisely 23 years to the day that he first stepped onto the university.
When he joined the Huskies in 1997, his impact was instantaneous as he was the catalyst for the second significant era of Huskies Hockey. Stienburg is the longest-serving coach, with the highest record of wins, in Huskies' Hockey history. During his 23 years with the team, Stienburg led the Huskies to 369 regular-season wins, culminating in the team's first ever USPORTS National Championship in 2010.
"After a lot of self-reflection and family discussion, I've decided that now is the right time to step back as the men's hockey coach," says Stienburg. "Over the last 23 years, the team has accomplished more than I could have imagined, and I'm very grateful to be a Husky."
Stienburg's leadership was recognized as he was named USPORTS Coach of the Year three times. Currently, he is the only university hockey coach ever to win Coach of the Year honours for two consecutive years, in 1998-99 and 1999-00.
Under his tenure, Stienburg led the Huskies hockey program to three AUS Championships (2002, 2009, 2010).
In addition to the 2010 National Championship, he coached the team to two medals in USPORTS Hockey Playoffs - a silver medal in 2013 and a bronze medal in 2016.
"Saint Mary's University is known for our excellence in athletics. Coaches like Trevor are at the heart of our success," says Gabrielle Morrison, Vice-President, Finance & Administration. "He created a legacy not only at Saint Mary's, but also in the local and national hockey community."
"Stienburg pursued excellence and was rewarded by his players and the community," says Scott Gray, director of athletics and recreation. "He paved the way for an NHL-size arena on campus, first by spearheading the move to the Halifax Forum and then by bringing his team home to the newly created Dauphinee Centre in 2019. This was a crowning achievement for the university and for Coach Stienberg and one that tops off his remarkable and lasting positive impact."
Stienburg is an ambassador for the university on and off the ice. He has actively given back to the community and instilled these lessons in his student-athletes. In 2005, he led the Huskies in fundraising $20,500 for Sebastian Savage, a Moncton Aigles Blues player, who became paralyzed after crashing into the boards during a game.
"I want to express how proud I am of every student-athlete I had the privilege of coaching and how appreciative I am of every coach that has stepped in over the last 23 years," says Stienburg. "Without the talent exhibited by these players and coaches, the Huskies wouldn't be where they are now."
"Not only has Trevor brought great success for Huskies on the ice, but he also ensured that his athletes were students first, creating successful student-athletes in the classroom," says Saint Mary's University President, Robert Summerby-Murray. "On behalf of the entire Saint Mary's University community, I want to thank Trevor for the 23 years of service he has given and the impact he has had on so many people."