ESTEVAN - The Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins have announced the hiring of Drew Kocur as the team's permanent head coach and general manager.
Kocur was named the Bruins' interim head coach and GM in January after the club parted ways with Jason Tatarnic.
The Bruins won just six of 22 games after Kocur moved into the role, but played a more entertaining brand of hockey, scoring 84 goals in those 22 games.
The club announced after the season it would go through the process of hiring a permanent head coach and GM, but ultimately decided Kocur was best for the job.
A native of Regina, Kocur will be heading into his third season with the team, first joining the club as an assistant coach in the spring of 2023.
Bruins’ president Riley Tetreault said the organization “is thrilled to have Kocur at the helm as head coach and GM.”
“Drew’s passion for the game, his players, and his staff was evident throughout the close of our regular season," said Tetreault in a news release. “Through the hiring process, Drew’s preparation, vision for the team, and expectations of his players aligned with the long-term vision of the board, and we’d like to congratulate him.”
Kocur said he’s looking forward to making the most of the opportunity ahead.
“To be named the head coach/GM is truly an honour and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the club’s next leader,” Kocur said. “It is something that I have worked hard for, and to be able to do so in the community of Estevan is truly something special.
“When my wife and I moved here in the spring of 2023, I knew right away that this community bleeds passion for hockey and the Bruins. I took the job that spring, because of the history and success the Bruins have had over the years. The people I have been fortunate enough to meet over the years, have really made me feel welcome."
Prior to joining the Bruins, Kocur led the Pilot Butte Storm to back-to-back Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL) finals, winning the 2022-23 junior B provincial championship. Kocur was also named as the PJHL’s coach of the year that season.
Kocur said he’s looking forward to the task ahead of getting the Bruins back among the premier teams in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings.
“I look forward to building a team with my staff and getting the Bruins back to where we all want them to be,” Kocur said. “Looking into the 2025-26 season what you will see is a team that is blue collar, motivated, eager, and hardworking each and every night. You will see a group that will play with high intensity, no quit attitude, and carry such pride to be an Estevan Bruin. Putting on that Bruins sweater is an honour and I look forward to working toward the goal of bringing a championship back to Estevan.”
