As the DYHA Jr. Sun Devils gear up for the 2019-20 season, the organization has tweaked its coaching staff by adding new coaches at several levels.

Rob MacGregor (8U), Chris and Tyler Erickson (10U), Shawn McCosh (12U Maroon), Jed Bowman (12U White), John Damyanovich (14U, returns to DYHA), Brad Norton (16U ‘04) and Deron Quint (16U ‘04) all assume coaching roles for DYHA, starting next season.

All bring a unique skill set to the Jr. Sun Devils.

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“What I bring to the table for DYHA is a commitment to excellence, both on and off the ice,” said MacGregor. “The main reason for wanting to coach at DYHA is the atmosphere at the rink. We all want to win but at the end of the day, we are all a big hockey family, from our hockey director, Brad McCaughey, to our coaches, parents and the players.

“I’m looking forward to having a very good defensive team next year. We will focus on communication, passing, defensive gap control, positioning and of course, individual development. As the Mite coach, I need to make sure these kids are ready for Squirt hockey.”

The Erickson duo (pictured above) is father-son combo (Chris the father, Tyler the son) that brings over 40 years coaching and training between the two.

“We run skill development programs in the area, focusing on effort, skills, confidence and discipline,” said Chris Erickson. “I coached in Minnesota at all levels from Squirts through high school for 30-some years and my son played junior hockey in Minnesota and has coached with me for eight years. This will be our first season here in Arizona and we are really looking forward to getting it going. I feel DYHA is going in the right direction. We want to be a part of it and help build and take it to the next level.

“We will have a team that works hard and will be disciplined and will strive to get better each ice touch. Our focus will be to put the players in the best position to be successful.”

McCosh, who played in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, said he’ll bring an attitude of professionalism and a level of compete that “will represent the program well.”

“DYHA is a growing program with a lot of good families and a very good hockey director who listens and supports his coaching staff,” said McCosh. “Next season, I expect to create an identity of a team that is hard to play against, pays attention to details and understands how important dressing room culture is to overall success.”

Quint saw action in 463 NHL games, playing for the then-Phoenix Coyotes, New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders, while Norton played 124 games in the NHL for the Kings, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings.

“I bring 22 years of professional hockey experience, both NHL and international experience,” said Quint. “I want to teach the kids how to grow both on and off the ice. I bring many different styles of play after experiences in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Russia. I am always trying to make sure the game of hockey is fun and at the same time, teaching work ethic and team success.

“DYHA is a great program and a place I feel I can grow as a coach and share my knowledge of the game of hockey. I see a program with integrity and wanting to be successful as an organization, striving to be one of the best programs in Phoenix and Arizona. The program has a lot of great coaches and kids that makes it a great environment for success.

“Of course, I want to win, but more important is the growth of my players as individuals and as a team. Team success is always more satisfying than individual success.”

— Matt Mackinder

(May 29, 2019)