Admirals hire Beau Hunter as team’s new head coach

By Ron Giofu

The Amherstburg Admirals have hired their new head coach.

Beau Hunter will take over behind the bench for the 2023-24 PJHL Stobbs Division season. His hiring was announced via social media last Saturday. The Admirals say that Hunter, 26, was an assistant coach with the University of Windsor Lancers women’s hockey team from 2015-18, and then with the Sun County Panthers U16 AAA team during the 2019-20 season.

“I would like to thank the Admirals organization for this opportunity, and I’m excited to get things started,” Hunter said via press release.

Hunter told the RTT he was drawn to the position by “the opportunity to grow with a young team as well as coach under an organization determined to succeed.”

“The players can expect a coach who will work harder than anyone to help this team succeed. I am honest with every player and their role. I believe in being prepared and working harder than the other team,” said Hunter.

Hunter added that fans can expect “a very aggressive style of play” from the Admirals going forward.

Accepting the Admirals’ coaching offer was a simple decision, he indicated.

“This is something I enjoy doing so it was an easy decision for me to get back behind the bench. I’m excited to get moving,” said Hunter.

Hunter has familiarity with members of the team, noting he has coached them before.

“I had the pleasure of coaching a few players back when I was with Sun County. We have some very strong leaders from some of the returning players and some new skill developing with the younger players,” said Hunter.

The style of play the Admirals will have on the ice next year depends on the final roster, he added, but Hunter stated he prefers to be aggressive in the defensive zone as well as in the offensive zone.

“Taking care of the puck and always having support is a major component,” said Hunter.

Hunter added assistant coaches will be named closer to the team’s main training camp in late summer. “Beau picked up some very valuable experience during his time with the Lancers and it is where his passion and aspiration for coaching developed,” general manager Andrew Sykes said. “I am excited to provide Beau with this opportunity and feel that he is ready and capable to lead this team to greater heights.”

Sykes is also entering his first season with the Amherstburg Admirals’ organization. Hunter becomes the third full-time head coach since the franchise moved from Kingsville to Amherstburg in 2013. Greg Prymack coached the team in its first season in Amherstburg with Paul Bortignon taking over the next season. Bortignon resigned midway through last season, with assistant coaches Mark Turner and Marc Crevier finishing the season as interim co-head coaches.