Overhauled coaching staff ready for Golden Hawks season

August 5, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte
With pre-season play set to kick off next month, the junior C Caledon Golden Hawks will be hitting the ice with a few fresh faces behind the bench.
Brampton’s Ken Robbins has brought three members of his staff to join him on the Golden Hawks’ executive, after finding success as a head coach within Brampton’s minor league system over the past few years.
“We had a desire to move up, and we’re happy and excited for this opportunity,” said Robbins.
Robbins, along with his staff of assistant coaches Ryan Susteras, Casey Hermanus and Jim Steele, and trainer Tony DeRuyte have hit some coaching milestones in recent years. They share an Ontario Hockey Federation title, two Ontario Minor Hockey Association titles and an International Silver Stick Tournament win. Susteras is the only member of staff who chose not to take an official role with the club, opting to spend more time with his young family.
“He’ll still lend a hand with the team when he’s got time, he just doesn’t have a title of coach,” said Robbins.
The years of experience on the staff is almost unheard of in minor league circles, between them boasting a combined 100 years of experience. Robbins began coaching in 1999, moving up the ladder from house-league bench boss to the AAA ranks. Over the past four season, Robbins and his staff have helped their teams to an amazing 206-64-30 record. He spent last season as coach of the AAA Midget Brampton 45’s.
With the Golden Hawks, the goal is clear: To take the team deep into the Georgina Mid-Ontario Hockey League playoffs for the first time.
“It’s a good young team with lots of potential.”
Robbins replaces ex-NHL tough guy Sandy McCarthy as the team’s new bench boss, who stepped down after another early exit in the 2014-15 postseason.
The fifth-place Golden Hawks fell in four straight games to the Penetang Kings in the first round of last season’s playoffs, and have yet to make it further in their five-year history.
The pre-season unofficially opens with the Alliston Hornets annual pre-season tournament, set for the second weekend in September. Main camps are ongoing throughout the GMOHL all of August.
For more information about the Golden Hawks, visit www.pointstreaksites.com/jrcgoldenhawks