Former Flin Flon Bomber Harley Garrioch is definitely pursuing his passion.
“Hockey is my everyday job and I love it,” said Garrioch, who suited up for the Bombers in 2007 to 2009.
Garrioch lives in Brandon, but works as the head hockey instructor and liaison for the Ochapowace (Sask.) Nation Sports Academy.
“Every Tuesday and Thursday, kids from grade 6 to 12 come to the rink to learn nutrition, fitness and hockey as part of their school curriculum. It’s a good program for these kids because we bring in fitness and nutrition guys.”
There is also a volleyball aspect and, Garrioch said, the academy will also be venturing into skiing and fastball. The latter sport is another one of Garrioch’s loves. This summer he will be part of the coaching staff for the Team Manitoba squad at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg. Garrioch, who is from Cross Lake, was selected for the 2017 Canada Games Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program and Women in Coaching Program.
“I was asked to be part of the staff because of my knowledge of the sport and because I played a sport at a university level so they wanted help on the fitness and mental preparation side of the game,” Garrioch said. “I will also be going to some professional development seminars as part of the program.”
After two seasons with the MJHL’s Waywayseecappo Wolverines, Garrioch was traded to the Bombers.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere of the rink and crowd on game nights,” said Garrioch, who also played his bantam hockey in Flin Flon. “I loved coming to the Whitney Forum every day and seeing all the history. It’s almost like you can feel the history.
“I also enjoyed listening to some of the fans talk about the old days when they had chicken wire as the end boards and how guys would get crushed into them. The coaching staff and the dressing room also made it easy to come to work every day.”
After playing in Flin Flon, Garrioch played NCAA Division III hockey at Neumann University in Pennsylvania. After a couple years in the business world following graduation, Garrioch began pursuing a hockey coaching career. Last winter he was the head coach and general manager of the expansion Cross Lake Islanders of the Junior B Keystone Junior Hockey League.
This winter Garrioch will be playing for the Ochapowace Thunder of the Triangle Hockey League in Saskatchewan.
