Two new assistant coaches will be behind the Red Deer Rebels bench next season.
On Monday, the team announced Brad Flynn and Ryan Colville will join the coaching staff under GM/head coach Brent Sutter.
Colville was the Los Angeles Kings’ video coach for five seasons, including during the team’s 2012 Stanley Cup winning season.
“It was amazing,” he said. “Winning the Stanley Cup was a surreal experience. It was definitely something I’ll always remember.”
Brent Sutter’s brother Darryl was the Kings’ head coach while Colville was there. Having that Sutter connection made the Rebels’ coaching job even more appealing, Colville said.
“That connection is definitely something you look for when you’re looking for a job,” he said. “Brent is an extremely high-end coach and someone I can learn a lot from. I think I can learn and help the team’s players at the same time.”
Colville was also video coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets and more recently the president, general manger and head coach for the North American 3 (Junior) Hockey League’s Cincinnati Thunder.
Colville said he hopes to bring some enthusiasm to the locker room.
“You’re there to win and you’re there to teach and develop these players as they improve and move on through their careers,” he said.
Flynn was the head coach and director of operations for the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American (Junior) Hockey League the past two seasons. He also served as an assistant coach for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for a year.
“The reputation Red Deer has in terms of the quality of people they’ve developed on the ice and the people who run the organization … is second to none,” said Flynn.
Flynn said the only job he applied for is the one in Red Deer.
“I love my situation here (in Corpus Christi), but if I was going to leave I was only going to the right place. Red Deer is the only place I want to be a part of,” he said.
Flynn said he’s looking forward to making his WHL coaching debut next season.
“I just want to bring a great attitude and work ethic. At the end of the day those are the only two things you can control.
“I’ll let Mr. Sutter dictate what he wants me to do and make sure I do the best job I can,” he said.
Sutter said the Rebels are very fortunate to have the two join the organization.
“Although young, both have a wealth of experience and will be great additions to the staff,” said Sutter. “Their loyalty, work ethic, enthusiasm, communication skills and creativity on how the game is played today will be very beneficial to the players and our staff.”
Colville and Flynn will be at the Red Deer Rebels prospects camp June 1-3 in Penhold.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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