The Surrey Eagles have made a key addition to their coaching staff for the upcoming season. Colin Hemingway, a forward for the team in the late 90s, has returned to the organization. He will join Blaine Neufeld and Brad Tobin behind the bench as an assistant coach.
Hemingway played 117 games for the then-named South Surrey Eagles from 1997 to 1999, recording 132 points. He scored 40 goals in his final season with the team, before accepting an NCAA division I scholarship to attend the University of New Hampshire. That same year, he was selected in the 8th round, 221st overall by the St. Louis Blues in the NHL draft.
After four successful years of NCAA hockey with the UNH Wildcats, Hemingway would embark on a nine-year professional career. He spent two years in the minor leagues before playing three games for the St. Louis Blues during the 2005-2006 NHL season. His career would then take him through Germany, Scotland, and Ireland, before finishing with the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League in 2012. In total, Hemingway boasts the experience of 412 professional games played.
“I’m really excited,” Hemingway said in an interview with SurreyEagles.ca.
“I’ve always wanted to give back to hockey. I think my resume in pro hockey – 9 years, being drafted, going to university – shows that I have a lot to give to the players, this team, and this community. I know what it takes to get to the next level, both on the ice and off the ice. Hopefully I can relay some of my experiences to the players, and help them any way I can.”
Hemingway, now 35 years old, has resided in White Rock since his playing career ended four years ago. As a proud member of the community, the urge to get back into the game and return to his former junior team was too hard to resist.
“I want to get this program back to where it needs to be, where it should be. We need to get into a position where we’re winning hockey games, and are competitive on the ice every night. We have a great head coach in Blaine [Neufeld], it’s a great community, and it’s an unbelievable rink. It’s a good fit for me.”
For Neufeld, who also acts as the team’s general manager, he sees it as a unique opportunity to bring a former member of the team back into the fold.
“It’s a unique situation. Colin still lives in the community where he played junior hockey, and he has the desire to give back. He has so much to offer the kids in our program with his experience.”
“We’ve been working hard all summer to recruit high-end players, and now to be able to add somebody like Colin to our staff, it shows the positive progression that we’re making.”
As Neufeld noted, Hemingway’s experience makes him a valuable resource for the Eagles’ players. His knowledge of the NCAA route, and path to the NHL with the Blues should be an immense help for players that are looking to follow in his footsteps.
“When you play all over the world like I did, you definitely pick up a few things,” Hemingway recalled.
“I had several different coaches, and many of them left lasting impressions. I want to be a coach that leaves a lasting impression.”
