Moncton, June 17, 2024 – The Moncton Wildcats have bolstered their hockey operations team by appointing Dustin Friesen as the team’s Associate Coach. Friesen brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Wildcats, having served as Head Coach of the Prairie Hockey Academy U18 Prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) for the past three seasons.
“Dustin is someone I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with in Moncton. I’ve been fortunate to know him for almost 20 years. His work ethic, habits, and passion for hockey are at an elite standard,” said Taylor MacDougall, General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations for the Moncton Wildcats. “He’s been a leader everywhere he has gone both as a player and a coach, and we look forward to Dustin continuing that in Moncton. He will be an integral part of our staff moving forward, and will make a significant impact with all of our players. We are extremely excited to welcome Dustin and his family to the Moncton Wildcats.”
Friesen’s coaching credentials include working with the Moose Jaw Warriors last season when the team captured its first Western Hockey League (WHL) championship and competed in the Memorial Cup. His extensive professional playing career spanned 11 seasons, including time in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany, where he was a long-time team captain and won the DEL2 Championship.
“Dustin is a high character player and person who has played the game at a high level and is a huge addition to our Wildcats coaching staff. I am fortunate to have had him as a player, team captain, and two-time National Champion at UNB where he learned to win. He followed that with an outstanding 11-year pro career including the AHL and DEL in Germany. He got a taste of the CHL and the Memorial Cup this year with Moose Jaw, and we are super excited for him to make a difference in Moncton,” said Gardiner MacDougall, Head Coach of the Moncton Wildcats.
Friesen expressed his gratitude for the opportunity: “My family and I are very thankful to be part of the Moncton Wildcat organization. I have great respect for Gardiner and Taylor and appreciate the opportunity to contribute to a high-performance environment in developing young men and hockey players.”
Friesen and his wife Katherine have three daughters: Taryn, Nova, and Evelyn. The Moncton Wildcats are excited to welcome the Friesen family to their organization and look forward to the positive impact Dustin will have on the team.
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