Tyler Naugler named interim head coach of the men's hockey program

Tyler Naugler, interim head coach of the SMU Huskies men's hockey program.

Saint Mary's University is pleased to announce that Tyler Naugler will assume the role of interim head coach of the Huskies men's hockey program. 

Entering into his 19th season with the Huskies, Naugler has been an assistant coach with the team and an important part of the hockey program. For seven years (1997 – 2004), he worked alongside former head coach Trevor Stienburg, to help shape a new era in Huskies' hockey tradition. With Naugler's help, the team won an AUS championship in 2002 for the first time in 25 years. He returned to the Huskies in 2010 to help bring home the National Championship Gold medal and win a Silver medal in 2013 and a Bronze medal in 2015.

"I am very pleased to announce Tyler as our new interim head coach," says Scott Gray, Saint Mary's University's Director of Athletics and Recreation. "He has proven his dedication to the Huskies both on and off the ice, creating a nurturing environment for our student-athletes."

His success with the Huskies and key role in youth hockey development supports Gray's confidence in Naugler to develop creative ways for the team to grow and train. Given the suspended competition for the Fall 2020 varsity season, he has already begun to create new ways to keep athletes engaged and safe.

"Coaching has always been a passion of mine," says Naugler. "Growing up, I would often call coaches or just show up at the rink to see if I could step in and help with younger teams."

In addition to his excellent work with the Huskies, Naugler has also worked to help young players at the grassroots level.  Through his work with the Saint Mary's Jr. Huskies Camp over the years, he was appointed the Director. Naugler is also the Lead Instructor and Director of Player development with N.S. Prospects.

A Bridgewater native, Naugler came up through their local minor hockey system alongside NHL star Glenn Murray. He is a former MJAHL player who skated alongside NHL's Aaron Downey of the Detroit Red Wings and Eric Boulton of the Atlanta Thrashers for three seasons with the Cole Harbour Scotia Colts. He would go on to play three years of university varsity hockey before moving into the coaching ranks.

SMU men’s hockey coach, Trevor Stienburg, steps back

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."

Emma DeLory takes over the reigns of Huskies rugby

Emma DeLory, the new head coach of the Saint Mary’s University Women’s rugby program.

Saint Mary's University is proud to announce that Emma DeLory has been named head coach of the Saint Mary's University women's rugby program. DeLory becomes the ninth coach in Huskies' history and takes over from Amber Davison, who is moving into an assistant role due to professional commitments.

"The first task is to put the pieces in place to build a winning culture," states DeLory. "The Huskies will look to get better each practice and each week as we become more familiar with each other."

Even in the current pandemic situation, DeLory is actively planning and connecting with the students through virtual means as she transitions into her new role. DeLory is no stranger to AUS Women's Rugby as she excelled as a student-athlete at Acadia University, receiving an AUS All-Star selection in 2015 while earning two degrees in Biology and Environmental Science.  

In addition to her new role, DeLory serves as Rugby Nova Scotia's development officer and the head coach of the Under-16 Women's provincial team. She also works with the Canadian National Women's Rugby program and serves as head coach of the Halifax West High School team.

"We are very excited about Coach DeLory joining our program as she brings passion and values that align with Saint Mary's University," says director of Athletics & Recreation Scott Gray. "She is well respected as a coach and leader in athletics and will be an asset to the Huskies in the building of our program."

Saint Mary's to host Touchdown Atlantic 2020

[Left to right] Bruce Bowser, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Ross Jefferson, Craig Reynolds, Randy Ambrosie, Brett Lauther and Mike “Pinball” Clemons. (Kelly Clark/CFL.ca)

The biggest Touchdown Atlantic ever is coming to Saint Mary’s University this summer, the Canadian Football League (CFL) announced on Thursday.

Rider Nation comes to Nova Scotia when the Saskatchewan Roughriders face the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, July 25 in the first-ever regular season game played in Halifax.

“Saint Mary’s University has a proud football tradition, and we are honoured to be a part of CFL history,” said President Robert Summerby-Murray. “We’re thrilled to host Touchdown Atlantic. Great events, like great universities, make our region and our country stronger.”

The game will be played at Huskies Stadium at 5 p.m. AT on Saturday, July 25. Approximately 6,000 temporary seats will be installed to bring the capacity for the game to 10,000.

“Our league belongs to Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast – and for one fabulous weekend this July, the east coast will be its capital,” said Randy Ambrosie, Commissioner of the CFL. “We are bringing the football and the fun. We’re inviting everyone in Atlantic Canada to join the party, and everyone in the rest of the country to come for the game and stay for a vacation!”

Riders’ kicker and Saint Mary’s alumnus, Brett Lauther, called Touchdown Atlantic a dream come true.

“I’ve known the thrill of kicking the winning points on our home field in Regina, but to do that here, in my own backyard, would be just incredible,” said Lauther, a native of Truro, N.S.

Both teams are “leaning in” to make it a special week; they will arrive days before the game and take part in a series of media events and community visits. The game will be preceded by a three-day “mini Grey Cup festival” featuring music, parties and tons of family-friendly fun.

Tickets will go on-sale at the end of February and a full list of prices will be announced soon. Fans can sign up for the most up-to-date information and access to priority-purchasing at CFL.ca/TDA. Ambrosie stressed that the game will be affordable with an average ticket price of approximately $50.

The 2020 edition of Touchdown Atlantic will be the first CFL game of any type to be played in Nova Scotia since 2005, when the Argos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats played a pre-season game at Huskies Stadium.

SMU welcomes Ryan Francis as first Indigenous Visiting Fellow

Ryan Francis in the Homburg Centre

Ryan Francis has only been on campus for a couple of weeks and already he’s bringing new ways of thinking to Saint Mary’s, as the university’s first Indigenous Visiting Fellow. Starting with the Red Tape Game on January 22 in the Dauphinee Centre, between the men’s Huskies hockey team and the Acadia Axemen. The game aims to promote inclusion in ice hockey, with a ceremonial puck drop, Mi’kmaw flag raising and a special focus on Indigenous athletes and reconciliation themes.

Sport can be a unifying force and a meaningful way to connect with culture, says Francis, who grew up in Cole Harbour and is a member of the Acadia First Nation. 

“For me, getting involved with the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships really connected me with my culture. I was always aware of my culture but growing up off reserve, I had that experience of sport really helping to connect me to my culture,” he says.

He played on Team Atlantic in the national championships in 2012 and has remained involved in various volunteer coaching capacities – currently as Head Coach for the women’s Team Atlantic program.

Even before his four-month fellowship began with the Faculty of Arts on January 1, Francis was working with Athletics & Recreation and the Centre for the Study of Sport and Health to organize the Red Tape Game. He’s also a key player as Saint Mary’s gears up to be one of the venues for the 2020 North American Indigenous Games, to be held in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and Millbrook First Nation for the first time. The event is expected to bring more than 5,000 participants to Mi’kmaki this summer, with many staying and competing on campus.

Francis was an organizer for the 2019 Atlantic Indigenous Games, which took place at Saint Mary’s and included educational sessions along with the sport competitions. “It was really cool to see the opportunity that campus life gave to the participants,” he recalls. “We hosted some sessions in the McNally Auditorium and a few times as the kids walked into the space, they said ‘Oh, it’s just like the movies!’ They were able to experience what university was like and they got to imagine themselves in that setting. Not a lot of them had that opportunity before, so it was pretty special.”

He holds a Master of Physical Education degree from Memorial University, and a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a major in sport management and minor in sport outreach. Now working as a Sport Consultant within the Communities, Sport, and Recreation Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture & Heritage, Francis coordinates education sessions with sport and recreation organizations across the province. He also leads the division’s Sport Hosting Program and initiatives on sport concussions, while supporting the government’s gender equity and Indigenous sport files. Previously, he worked with Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the Aboriginal Sport Circle, and in several roles with Sport Nova Scotia.

His fellowship runs through April 30. The new position builds on Saint Mary’s ongoing initiatives to engage with Indigenous communities, strengthen intercultural research and curriculum, and respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and our own university task force. Francis applied because he felt he could assist in making the academic environment a more welcoming place for Indigenous students, and he’s also intrigued by the research dynamic between athletics and academics. 

“The Faculty of Arts was open to that and encouraged that. Recognizing the potential of sport and recreation in bringing people together and providing those intercultural lessons,” he says.

For his research, Francis is focusing on Indigenous youth and sport, with links to the Certificate in Health, Wellness, and Sport in Society. He is also coordinating the delivery of Indigenous coaching modules for on and off campus. These courses will cover such topics as dealing with racism in sport, and holistic approaches to coaching. Stay tuned for news about more upcoming events, projects and opportunities for discussion, and follow him on Twitter at @RyanFrancis58.    

Saint Mary's community celebrates the Dauphinee Centre

Saint Mary’s University celebrates the Dauphinee Centre.

A new chapter in Huskies hockey lore was recognized and lauded on Saturday, Jan 11. On Hockey Day at SMU, the Santamarian community came together in the Barbara Holmes Gathering Centre to celebrate the Dauphinee Centre and the donors who supported the project: Glen and Nancy Holmes, and the late Bob Dauphinee BComm’60.

"Saint Mary's University has a proud and successful hockey tradition that will continue for generations to come in the Dauphinee Centre," said Saint Mary's President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "This new arena will contribute to the continued success of our varsity men's and women's hockey teams, and provides our athletes and coaches with a new home to continue their tradition of excellence."

The Dauphinee Centre is named in honour of the late Bob Dauphinee, a Saint Mary's alumnus and community champion, who donated $2 million for an arena through his estate.

The Dauphinee Centre is the home of both the women's and men's hockey teams. The centre features an NHL-sized ice surface with seating for 850 fans and ample standing room that brings the capacity to more than 1200 people. The building is fully accessible with an elevator between floors and six accessible changing rooms for visiting teams, community-based recreational sports groups and summer camps.

On the upper level is a heated gathering centre with an attached room for spectators overlooking the ice surface. This community-oriented space is named the Barbara Holmes Gathering Centre.

The Pseudio Link, a pedway connecting the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness to the new arena, is another new addition. The Huskies also have a great new area to prepare for games in the Holmes Family Varsity Suite.

These enhancements and the varsity suite were made possible by a generous gift of $2 million from local entrepreneurs Glen and Nancy Holmes, parents of Saint Mary's students. Glen and Nancy Holmes are the owners of Pseudio, Samuel & Co and Envy.

“The main reason I did this was that I love Halifax – I love everything about Halifax. There was a need for a rink, and we were in a position that we were able to pull it together,” said Glen Holmes. “I got a lot more out of this than I put into it. Everything I do in life, normally at this size, there’s a return that’s expected. This was more than any financial return I could have asked for. ”

Locker-room talk: Dr. Cheryl MacDonald on men’s hockey culture

For Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, “locker-room talk” is more than just a part of sports. Dr. MacDonald is a post-doctorate researcher at Saint Mary’s University. Her research looks at the attitudes and behaviours of men’s ice hockey players and the impact they have on homophobia, gender and sexuality.

Dr. Cheryl MacDonald was featured on CTV News.

In late November, the SMU Centre for the Study of Sport and Health invited Dr. MacDonald to give the final presentation of the centre’s fall speaker series. She spoke to a group at the Homberg Centre about her research on men’s hockey culture. She talked about issues such as toxic masculinity, sexism and homophobia. She says that while progress is being made with younger generations of hockey players, there is still work to be done.

“What has been consistently happening in my work, whether it’s my research or my activism, is that I go in talking about homophobia or LGBTQ+ issues and leave talking about sexism. Every single time it amazes me that, for some reason, this is still a problem,” she says.

Dr. MacDonald also spoke on divisiveness within hockey; something that she says can be seen clearly after the firing of Don Cherry earlier in November.

“I don’t think we have a [singular] hockey community anymore. I think we have a bunch of small ones because not everyone can get along within it,” she says. “A lot of the most meaningful education comes from just talking to people and understanding them and, in the hockey community right now, I’m seeing a lot of people who are simply not taking the time to do that.”

Dr. MacDonald wrapped up by questioning how sexism, toxic masculinity and homophobia can continue to be addressed within a community that is becoming increasingly divided.

“In the midst of all of these divisions and disagreements, and where it is so easy to just shut down and shut one another out, how are we supposed to educate male youth ice hockey players?”

The fall speaker series was put on by the Saint Mary’s Centre for the Study of Sport and Health during November. The three-part series focused on hockey and topics included sport science, sport photography, and gender and sexuality education in sports.

Three Saint Mary's Huskies inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame

The 2019 Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame inductees. Front row (left to right) Henry Boutilier; Justine Colley-Leger and Roger Caulfield. Back row (left to right): Suzanne Muir: Jackie Barrett; Jody Shelley; and Morgan Williams of Cole Harbour. Photo courtesy of the NSSHF, credit: Nick Pearce.

On the evening of Friday, November 15, the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame inducted three exceptional former student-athletes from Saint Mary’s University.

Taking place at the Halifax Convention Centre, five athletes and two builders were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to Nova Scotia sport. 

The inductees include arguably Nova Scotia’s greatest female basketball and soccer players in Justine Colley-Leger BComm’14 and Suzanne Muir BComm’93, and the first-ever Special Olympics athlete to be inducted, powerlifter and Special Olympian Jackie Barrett BComm’98. 

Also inducted were Mooseheads legend and former NHL player Jody Shelley and the record-holder for the most caps as a Canadian rugby scrum-half, Morgan Williams. In the builder category, long-time Little League coach, baseball manager and community hero Henry Boutilier, along with international basketball official and mentor Roger Caulfield. 

Justine Colley-Leger BComm’14

Justine Colley-Leger is the all-time leading scorer in the history of CIS women’s basketball. Her impressive play earned her two CIS National Player of the Year awards, and she led the Saint Mary’s Huskies to four consecutive AUS championships and CIS silver and bronze medals. She was also a two-time AUS MVP, four-time All-Canadian and five-time AUS first-team All-Star while playing more than 40 games with the Canadian national team.

Jackie Barrett BComm’98

 A force to be reckoned with in the sport of powerlifting, Jackie Barrett dominated Canadian Special Olympics powerlifting competitions throughout his career. Barrett won 20 gold medals, and he has represented Canada well at the World Special Olympics competition with an incredible 13 first-place finishes. In his final year of competition (2015), he set three Special Olympics world records, lifting 277.5 kg, 297.5 kg and 697.5 kg in the squat, deadlift and triple combination events, respectively. In the same year, he also became the first Special Olympics athlete to be nominated for the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s top athlete.

Suzanne Muir BComm’93

Suzanne Muir was named AUS Rookie of the Year during her time playing with the Saint Mary’s Huskies women’s soccer team. Her standout skills also earned her two AUS MVP awards, five-time AUS All-Star status and two-time All-Canadian honours. Twice named Athlete of the Year at Saint Mary’s University, Muir went on to play with Canada’s national women’s team from 1992 to 1999. She played with the national team at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups. She was inducted into the Saint Mary’s Sport Hall of Fame in 2014.

Student-athlete Bhreagh Burke finishes 8K run barefoot

It’s certainly not the way she planned to race, but cross country runner Bhreagh Burke finished the women’s 8k race at the AUS Championship in her bare feet.

The championships were hosted by the UNB Reds at Kingswood Resort in Hanwell, N.B. on Saturday, October 26.

It was a remarkable finish for 2nd year Arts student. Burke lost one of her shoes during the first kilometre of the race.  She stopped to put it back on, only to have it fall off again, leaving her in 25th position.

Determined to continue, Burke removed the other shoe, racing in sock feet for the second kilometre before stopping again to remove her socks and run the rest of the race barefoot. Bhreagh finished 10th and was SMU’s first female runner to cross the finish line in 31:58.   

“This was, without doubt, one of the gutsiest performances that I have witnessed over my years of coaching cross country,” said Head Coach Kevin Heisler.

Bhreagh, along with first-place finisher Andrew Peverill, will compete in the upcoming USport Championships in Kingston, Ontario on November 9th.

Alumni win top honours for athletic achievements

Justine Colley-Leger

Jackie Barrett

Suzanne Muir

Saint Mary’s has a long history of athletic excellence. This fall, three exceptional former student-athletes are being given top honours for their accomplishments.

Basketball legend Justine Colley-Leger BComm’14, powerlifter and Special Olympian Jackie Barrett BComm’98, and soccer star Suzanne Muir BComm’93, will be inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame on November 15 in Halifax.

They are among five athletes to be celebrated not only for their outstanding contributions to Nova Scotia sport, but each rising to national acclaim.

A force to be reckoned with in the sport of powerlifting, highly decorated Special Olympics athlete Jackie Barrett will make history as the first Special Olympian joining the Hall of Fame this year.

Originally from Spryfield, Barrett has dominated Canadian Special Olympics powerlifting competitions throughout his career with 20 gold medals, and he has represented Canada well at the World Special Olympics competition with an incredible 13 first-place finishes. In his final year of competition (2015), he set three Special Olympics world records, lifting 277.5 kg, 297.5 kg and 697.5 kg in the squat, deadlift and triple combination events respectively. In the same year, he also became the first Special Olympics athlete to be nominated for the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s top athlete.

Justine Colley-Leger is the all-time leading scorer in the history of CIS women’s basketball. Her impressive play earned her two CIS National Player of the Year awards and she led the Saint Mary’s Huskies to four consecutive AUS championships and CIS silver and bronze medals. She was also a two-time AUS MVP, four-time All-Canadian and five-time AUS first team All-Star, while playing more than 40 games with the Canadian national team.

Suzanne Muir was named AUS Rookie of the Year during her time playing with the Saint Mary’s Huskies women’s soccer team. Her standout skills also earned her two AUS MVP awards, five-time AUS All-Star status and two-time All-Canadian honours. Twice named Athlete of the Year at Saint Mary’s University, Muir went on to play with Canada’s national women’s team from 1992 to 1999. She played with the national team at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups. She was inducted into the Saint Mary’s Sport Hall of Fame in 2014.

On a related note, Justin Palardy BA’11, geography major and former Husky, was a pro football player with CFL and now a coach for the Dalhousie Tigers. He is being inducted on Nov 1 to the Colchester County Sports Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the 2019 Induction Night are on sale now at the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. Call 902-404-3343 to place your order.

The Dauphinee Centre is on track to open this season with a surprise for Huskies Stadium

The paint is drying, and the seats are installed as The Dauphinee Centre continues on its path towards opening day this fall. The varsity dressing rooms are coming along nicely, as is work on the ice surface, where the piping is in place, and the concrete surface has been laid.

“Although construction only began about a year ago, we are now closing in on the final month of this project,” said Gary Schmeisser, The Dauphinee Centre project manager. “Everyone involved in this project has been doing a great job to keep us on schedule. We all keep looking toward the opening with anticipation, and we are excited to share the finished product with our community.”

The flooring has, for the most part, all been installed and all the interior walls are in place. The elevator has been installed, and the interior and exterior of the arena have all been painted. Landscaping for the centre has already begun, showing just how close this project is coming to completion.

Earlier this summer a ceremony took place to where the iconic smoking pipe of the late Bob Boucher was laid at centre ice. This ceremony brings a direct connection between Saint Mary's storied hockey past with the future of the sport at The Dauphinee Centre. Bob was rarely seen without his smoking pipe, which became a symbol of the well-loved coach and the tradition of excellence he brought to the university’s hockey program.

While the project is winding down, other aspects of the project will soon be appearing on campus, coming as a pleasant surprise for Huskies fans.

“As some of our Saint Mary’s community members may have noticed, the scoreboard for Huskies Stadium is no longer in place,” said Scott Gray, director of Athletics and Recreation. “I am happy to share with you that as part of this project, the stadium will receive a new scoreboard that will include a video screen. Now Huskies fans will never miss a moment of the action.”

The Dauphinee Centre is scheduled to open this fall. Don’t miss out on the action, purchase tickets to the Men’s and Women’s hockey home openers and more  at http://www.smuhuskies.ca/fan_zone/Tickets.

Huskies hockey memento laid at the heart of The Dauphinee Centre

A piece of Saint Mary's hockey history now lays at the heart of The Dauphinee Centre.

In a ceremony this summer the iconic smoking pipe of the late Bob Boucher was laid at centre ice, connecting Saint Mary's storied hockey past with the future of the sport at The Dauphinee Centre.  Bob was rarely seen without his smoking pipe, which became a symbol of the well-loved coach and the tradition of excellence he brought to the university’s hockey program.

An inductee of the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame in 1998, Bob Boucher was the coach of the Saint Mary's men's hockey team for 13 years. During this time, he compiled an astounding record of 231 wins, 33 losses and four ties and led the Huskies to the national championship game in four consecutive seasons from 1970 to 1973. He also coached the Dartmouth Moosehead Mounties who won the Hardy Cup national championship.

Bob came from an illustrious hockey family with connections to numerous NHL teams. A star junior player with the Montreal Junior Canadiens when they won the Memorial Cup in 1957, and with the Toronto Saint Michael's, an eye injury precluded his promising NHL career. Nevertheless, Bob went on to play senior and semi-professional hockey in Europe and the USA before being joining the Saint Mary's community.

He revived hockey at Saint Mary's, and also started the Saint Mary's Hockey Camp of Champions, a summer program for minor hockey players. He left Saint Mary's in 1980 for the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers to be an assistant coach to his former teammate, Hockey Hall of Famer Pat Quinn.

"Sharing the rich hockey history and sports tradition of Saint Mary's makes a difference to our student-athletes," said women's hockey coach Chris Larade. “Ceremonies like today for Bob, honouring his contributions to hockey and the Saint Mary’s community, show our student-athletes the lasting impacts that we have as a team on our community."

The recognition meant a lot to Anne Boucher and her son Robert. Anne is a former figure skating coach who worked out of the Alumni Arena. It was here that she met her husband, Bob Boucher.

"A lot of memories came flooding back today, it was very special to be able to share it with some of Bob's players and today's coaches," said Anne Boucher. "We have fond memories of the old arena, and we spent a lot of our time there. We actually lived on campus our first two years of marriage."

"The arena has always been a special place at Saint Mary’s. The games, the atmosphere, the place was always electric. I am really looking forward to that atmosphere at The Dauphinee Centre.  I know Bob would be very happy to see that passion back on-campus and to be a part of it in a new home for hockey."