Stienburg signs five-year contract extension with Huskies

Blake Patterson, SMU External Affairs

October 15, 2009

Saint Mary’s University announced today that men’s hockey coach Trevor Stienburg has signed a five-year contract extension with the university.

With 13 years behind the bench with the Huskies, Stienburg  is the reigning ‘dean’ of AUS hockey coaches and has amassed a record of 182-121-24. He led the Hockey Huskies to two league championships, one in 2002 and most recently last season (2008-2009).

Stienburg’s current three-year contract was due to expire next March.

“We’re very happy to have Trevor behind the bench for the Huskies for the next five years,” said Steve Sarty, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Saint Mary’s. “He’s a tremendous asset to our hockey program and the university community at large.”

The Stienburg Era began in the 1997-98 season when Stienburg took over the Saint Mary’s program, fresh from being named Coach of the Year in Maritime Jr. A. In his second year as head coach at Saint Mary’s , he was named AUS and CIS Coach of the Year. The following season, he was once again named the AUS and CIS Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach in CIS history to be given this honour in back-to-back years.

Stienburg has also demonstrated his coaching prowess at the international level.

In 2001, he led Team Canada to a Silver Medal at the 2001 World University Games in Poland, and in August and December 2003 he served as guest coach at the Team Canada Junior Development Camps in preparation for the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. His crowning international hockey achievement to date is the Gold Medal performance of Team Canada at the 2007 World University Games in Torino, Italy. Stienburg is now the winningest Canadian hockey coach in the history of these Games.

Stienburg said he’s pleased with the new five-year deal and also added he doesn’t intend to let the contract change the way he coaches. His work ethic – one based on perseverance, grittiness, relentless dedication and hard work – will continue to be what he expects from his players every game.   

“This won’t change the way I think,” said Coach Stienburg. “I try to keep a steady pull on the rope through the good and the bad.”

Saint Mary’s plays it first home game on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. against Acadia at the Forum, where last season's Championship team and banner will be recognized.