It’ll be a new look behind the bench for the Prince Albert Mintos in 2024-25, but the expectations are high for the team.
Tim Leonard, Bryan Swystun and Dane Byers made up the coaching staff last year, but all three will not return for various reasons. Leonard and Swystun have retired from coaching while Byers opted to spend more time with his family.
Taking over the coaching reins this year is Doan Smith. The 29-year-old was named the head coach of the Mintos this offseason and currently serves as a skills and development coach with the Prince Albert Raiders. Last season, Smith served as an assistant coach for the Prince Albert Northern Bears in the SFU18AAAHL.
Smith says he is looking forward to getting the season underway and is thankful to the previous coaching staff for leaving him in a position to succeed.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this group. Those guys last year did such a good job carrying over a big group of them from last year that learned from those guys and then building in some pieces this year. I think we’re set up for success right away and allows my transition to be easier just with guys knowing the league and those expectations being so high from being with Tim last year.”
It will be the first time Smith has served in a head coaching capacity at the U18 AAA level, but not his first time on the Minto coaching staff. Smith was an assistant coach for the Mintos back in 2021-22 and was previously a head coach with the Prince Albert U15 AA Pirates. Frank Fazio, Braxx George and Brian Glynn will all serve as assistant coaches for the Mintos this season.
Smith says he is looking forward to being able to work closely with the Minto players and take the next step in his coaching career.
“It’s a new challenge for me and my step as a coach in my career. Just excited for the day-to-day operations wise, getting to learn from the Raiders staff, seeing day-to-day there, now getting to be a part of a day-to-day program here where you see and work with the guys on an everyday basis. That’s the biggest jump from when I did the Pirates two years ago to now. The U15 program is great, but twice a week compared to four or five days a week with these guys. It’s exciting just to make those relationships and build that development plan that is every single day. ”
One player returning from last year who will be looked at as a key contributor for the Mintos this year is 17-year-old Simon Garchinski. The defenceman posted 11 points in 38 games for Prince Albert last year and just returned from training camp with the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos.
Garchinski says the Mintos will have a strong group of veterans to pair with a talented rookie class.
“I think we got a really good group of guys here this year and a good balance of new upcoming talent, but then also some returning guys that’ll be able to pave the way.”
Last year, the Mintos finished fifth place in the SMAAAHL standings with a 25-14-5 record. In the playoffs, the Mintos would fall in five games in the first round to the Swift Current Legionnaires
Smith says Prince Albert is looking to make it back to the playoff dance and make some noise beyond the first round in 2024-25.
“We always want to be a playoff team and we always want to go as far as we can. A lot of that is up to the group and the coaching staff. Once we familiarize ourselves with each other there’s no ceiling for the group. We’ll get as high as we can and the goal is to play a lot of hockey and the goal is to play deep into the spring and I think we have the group to do it. It’s just going to be putting those pieces together and building as we go.”
In his final year in the U18 circuit, Garchinski is hoping the Mintos are able to make noise in the playoffs this season.
“Even my first year here, we lost our first round to Regina too, so it’s definitely a motivating factor there and we want to get there again but this time we want to get through that first round and make it to the league final and win.”
In net, the Mintos will run with the tandem of Josh Henry and Jaden Blanchette. Brady Holtvogt was eligible to return to the Mintos this year, but it appears the 17-year-old netminder will break camp with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
Smith says he is excited about the tandem the Mintos will feature this year.
“Brady’s with PG, which is a great step for him. Jayden’s brought in this year to be a part of that tandem with Josh. Josh has swagger and he has the ability to be a great goalie at this league and at the next league. I think Jayden’s going to push Josh to be better. Josh has the ability to be a top goalie in the league. It’s exciting to have that safety blanket, if you want to call it back there. Both are competitive and both want to play.”
In terms of team strengths. Smith says the Mintos will look to take advantage of their speed and depth throughout the season.
“I think we have pace that a lot of teams won’t. We’re going to push pace. We’re going to be heavy. We’ll play the right way and then we have a lot of skill that can finish and we’re going to attack in layers and with speed and when we’re rolling and when we start pulling on the rope together, like I mentioned, it’s going be a tough team to stop.”
The Mintos open the 2024-25 season on Saturday, September 28 when they travel to Yorkton to take on the Maulers. Puck drops at 1 p.m.
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