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Gerrits hired as head coach of Abbotsford Minor Hockey

Has previously held roles with Hockey Canada and BC Hockey
Mike Gerrits is the new head coach of Abbotsford Minor Hockey.
Mike Gerrits is the first paid coach for the Abbotsford Minor Hockey Association.

The Abbotsford Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) has hired Mike Gerrits as the first paid head coach in club history.

In his new year-round part-time role, Gerrits will spearhead player development and mentor coaches for the AMHA, which serves roughly 950 players each season.

“We had always depended on volunteers,” AMHA president Trevor Bamford told The News. “But it’s time-consuming and people are busy. Guys in minor hockey, they all have full-time jobs. This position is going to eat up 20 or 30 hours a week of Mike’s time.

“Coaches need mentoring, players need developing, and honestly, Mike has the whole package. He’s had a track record that’s been very successful.”

Paid head coaches are becoming more prevalent in minor hockey – Bamford estimated that 15 to 20 of the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association’s 42 member clubs have hired player development personnel.

Nor is the model unique to hockey – the Abbotsford Magnuson Ford Soccer Club has had a paid head coach since 2000.

Bamford said player registration fees will not rise – the AMHA will cover the cost of Gerrits’ salary through association-wide fundraising initiatives.

“Concerns coming from our membership over the last few years have been about development, but more specifically coach mentoring,” Bamford said. “Mike will be a really good support for the coaches. They’ll be able to go to him when they need something.”

Gerrits has held a wide variety of hockey jobs dating back to the mid-1990s, including coach- and player-development roles with Hockey Canada and BC Hockey. He’s been a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) course conductor since 1997, and is an NCCP “High Performance 1” certified coach himself.

Gerrits has also served as an assistant coach with the BCHL’s Langley Hornets, scouted for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, and scouted amateur free agents in junior hockey for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.

In addition to his new job with the AMHA, Gerrits will continue as manager of the WHL’s combine program. He also works as a realtor in Abbotsford.

“My philosophy is going to be to really try to work with the coaches, teach the teacher, and let them be the voice and implement the stuff they’ve learned to the players,” Gerrits said.

“The players are going to benefit, first and foremost, and then I think we’re going to retain coaches because they’re going to feel hopefully that they have a support layer.”