The New Mexico Ice Wolves have announced that on the heels of joining the NA3HL with the purchase of the Oklahoma City Blazers, the team has named Darren Banks head coach and general manager.

Banks will lead the NA3HL team in the league’s South Division playing out of Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque, beginning in the upcoming 2022-23 season.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to coach the New Mexico Ice Wolves’ NA3HL team and help develop players and the organization,” said Banks. “I look forward to building on the winning culture that has been established by the New Mexico Ice Wolves’ NAHL team and using my coaching and recruiting experience to add to the ladder of development for hockey in New Mexico.”

“Darren is an experienced coach and scout that we are thrilled to have join the NM Ice Wolves to lead our NA3HL team as head coach and general manager,” added Ice Wolves owner Stan Hubbard. “His background in building teams and helping each individual reach their full potential will be a tremendous asset to this team, all of our players, the organization and the growing hockey community in New Mexico.”

A native of Athens, Tex., Banks has rich hockey history including playing in the NA3HL (Gillette Wild) and NAHL (Minot Minotauros) during his junior career and playing for Finlandia University (NCAA Division III), and the University of Utah (ACHA Division I) in college. Banks began his coaching career with the USPHL’s Steele County Blades as an assistant coach. From Steele County, Banks returned to Minot to be the Minotauros’ assistant coach and scouting director.

As a player, Banks played three seasons with Gillette, tallying 31 goals and 82 points in 124 games.

Photo/New Mexico Ice Wolves

(April 20, 2022)