Huskies hockey coach marks 400th game behind the bench

It’s a milestone that not many coaches get to reach.

Steve Kook, head coach of the Huskies women’s hockey team will celebrate 400 games with the program Saturday night.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t really know what the number was. It’s not something I really keep track of,” Kook said.

He was told about the milestone last week, but said he could only think about what he wants to achieve with the team.

“I reflected back and said, ‘We should’ve had a national championship by now,’” Kook said with a laugh.

Despite the lack of national championships, the program has been successful one ever since he took the position back in the 2005-06 season. The team won its first-ever Canada West Championship and placed third at the U SPORTS National Championship in 2013-14.

Kook was the first full-time coach for the women’s hockey team in U of S history, but he said he hasn’t done it alone.

“I can’t say enough about the alumni support that both ours and the men’s hockey program have had over the last few years. I mean it was really the alumni programs that built the rink we’re in now,” he said.

Plus Kook has been recognized as the Canada West Coach of the Year three times (2007-08, 2009-10 and 2013-14) and U SPORTS Coach of the Year twice (2009-10 and 2013-14).

Kook said he’s thankful for the time and lessons he learned from the former coach of the men’s team, Dave Adolph.

“I quickly learned from coach Adolph that there’s more to it than (hockey). You’ve got to learn how to build a program and that’s keeping a program sustainable … vibrant in the community … attractive to recruits and athletes across Canada. Then at the same time making sure they’re OK in the classroom,” he said.

Not only has the program developed since Kook has been at the helm, but the game itself has changed as well.

“The game has just gotten so much more exciting,” Kook said.

“It’s faster, it’s stronger, it’s more physical. You know people underestimate the speed and the tenacity and how physical the game is.”

Kook said it’s the players that keep him coming back every year.

“I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people that I had coached with and players who loved the game and energized me behind the bench,” he said.

So, what’s in store for the next 400 games? Kook said it all comes back to that single goal.

“We’re always striving here at our rink to put up a national championship banner for the women’s program,” Kook said.

Saturday’s game will be played at Merlis Belsher Place against Trinity Western at 7 p.m.