Brad Tobin Hired As Assistant Coach

The Surrey Eagles hockey club is proud to announce that Brad Tobin has been hired as an assistant coach as a part of head coach Peter Schaefer’s staff. Tobin, 29, previously served as an assistant coach in Surrey from 2010-2016 before leaving for the Creston Valley Thunder Cats of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League – first serving as an assistant coach, then as head coach and general manager.

During his playing career, Tobin spent four years in the Pacific Junior Hockey League and KIJHL as a defenceman with the North Delta Devils and Columbia Valley Rockies.

“I’m very excited to be given the opportunity to come back and work with Peter Schaefer once again,” said Tobin. “It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours. I definitely took some time to think about the offer. At the end of the day, I couldn’t say no to coming back to the BCHL and working with players that are getting recognized at the National Hockey League level.”

As a defenceman by trade Tobin naturally enjoys focussing on the defensive side of the game, but his time spent as head coach and GM helped him develop in other areas.

“I’ve always been the type of coach that likes to focus on the defensive side of things. It was great being a head coach, but I’m open to doing whatever the team needs me to do. I definitely learned a lot about the day-to-day operations and the business side of things during my time in Creston Valley. I’m looking forward to taking what I’ve learned back to Surrey and implementing it.”

Tobin also had high praise for the current crop of Eagles players. He had a chance to travel and attend the camps of a handful of other BCHL clubs – noting that the Eagles are one of the quickest.

“I was at Eagles camp for a little while and got to know what the team was all about. I went to six BCHL camps total, scouting for Creston. Out of all those teams, the Eagles were one of the fastest. The defence looked like they could really use the Olympic ice to their advantage in transition.”

The Eagles have two more pre-season games remaining, although Tobin isn’t expected to join the club until shortly prior to the regular season. The season officially kicks off on September 7th at home against the Coquitlam Express. Season tickets and special 5-game ticket packs are available now!