The new Assistant Coach for the Dryden GM Ice Dogs is anxious to return to the community and the rink.
Former defenceman Jake Gushue is joining Kurt Walsten and Ben Borton behind the bench this season.
The hard nosed, stay at home defenceman won a championship with Dryden in 2016-2017 under Coach Walsten.
After leaving the community, the now 26-year old from British Columbia returned home, coached minor hockey, helped the Langley Rivermen junior A team and started his own Athletic Development business.
The product of Maple Ridge says he can’t believe he has an opportunity to come full circle and now coach junior A hockey full time.
“It comes with long hours. To me, if it’s in hockey, there’s no such thing. I work all day. I live, breath, and sleep hockey 24/7. So for me to get a chance to do this in my old spot where I got to play is a dream come true.”
Gushue stresses he loved everything about Dryden when he was here.
“I’m so excited and so grateful to be back in Dryden. It’s just a whirlwind kind of an emotion. I really missed being out there since I left and to go back down and kind of go full circle around and go back to coaching…it’s phenomenal! I am so excited! I’m literally counting down the days and hours until I’m out there.”
Gushue explains what he brings to the team.
“I’m constantly building and constantly learning new things that will help the team be successful. At the end of the day, to be honest, whatever Kurt says and needs me for, whatever role they need me to be, I will do that and make sure the team succeeds and the players develop throughout the year.”
He stresses he learned a lot from the long time coach of the Ice Dogs and appreciated that he always saw an upside in him.
Gushue says he is one for one winning a championship in Dryden and now wants to make it two for two.
You can hear the full interview with Jake Gushue by visiting the Audio link below:
