2024-2025 Coach of the Year – Bryan Bartman

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Hawks Coach of the Year, Bryan Bartman! Head coach of HK405, Bryan started as an assistant coach with the Hawks in the 2021-2022 season and moved to head coach the following year where he has been ever since. We can say without batting an eye that, for the kids on those four teams – they got a good one. A former Hawk himself, Bryan’s big heart and gentle demeanor makes him the best coach for kids who are often brand new to the game.

This past season, Bryan found himself without a goalie for much of the year. As there wasn’t a team he was able to borrow goalies from in U11, he canvassed our U9 teams all year long to borrow tendies and ensure 405 didn’t play a single game without a goalie. When they couldn’t get into a tournament, he bought a bunch of ice, coordinated three exhibition games, hired a limo for transportation, and gave the kids a ‘tournament’ they would never forget. Bryan volunteered **outdoors** at Minor Hockey Week, shoveling rinks at U9 Pond Hockey and ended up working a double shift.

When a kid on his team scores their first goal, he tapes the puck up for them. When they lose a big one, he teaches them about how they can learn from it and has now coined the term, “sometimes we win, sometimes we learn.”

Bryan embodies all that it means to be a Hawk and the association and the players are lucky to have him in our midst.

Congratulations on Coach of the Year, Bryan. We appreciate you and we know you hate this effusive praise but you should be very proud!