CARLYLE - After 14 years of coaching minor hockey, Wade Robertson felt it was time to take a break.
He was going to relax, take the winter off and enjoy going to the rink only as a spectator. Early in November, veteran members of the Carlyle Cougars senior hockey team approached him and year 15 has started. He accepted the role as coach of the Cougars.
Born in Carnduff, Robertson moved to Carlyle in 1995. In 2001, he and wife Lisa moved onto an acreage located just north of town on Highway 9. They have three sons, Delan, Nate and Chase, who is is the youngest and the only one remaining in organized hockey. He plays with the U18 Cougars’ team.
Robertson has worked in the oilpatch all of his life and is presently the Lonestar Directional Services Saskatchewan representative.
In addition to being a minor hockey coach, Robertson was also a board member and president of Carlyle Minor Hockey for three years. After the senior Cougars took a three-year leave of absence from the Big Six Hockey League from 2013-2015, he also joined their executive in the fall of 2016.
In regards to coaching, Robertson stated, “The Cougars were in a bind and needed someone to be on the bench and coach full-time. Ben Johnstone and others approached me and I decided to go for it. Defenseman Branden Lequyer really helped Duane Bye and I with their midget games and practices the past few years. I owed him a favour and here I am.”
Returning veterans include forwards Johnstone, Dakota Rose, Brent McLean, Cooper Fox, Brett Turgeon, Jon Gaudet and Billy Greenwood. Returning blueliners are Lequyer, Zach Brown, Sam Matthewson and Tyler Fleck. Veteran Landon Audet shares the goaltending duties with newcomer Ryan Kulyk.
New additions to the lineup include forwards Koby Morrisseau, Derek Fleck and Rhett Palmer. Also new to the team are defencemen Gavin Froese, Colby Himmelspach, Matt Lavallee and Devan Fafard. Robertson’s son Chase is an affiliated player and when not playing also helps out on the bench.
Added Robertson, “I know the Big Six has a number of strong teams and is very competitive. But I feel we have a good mix of new and veteran players to work with. We should be able to compete night after night.”
He also wishes to thank the organization and the various people who help with each and every game. “The Cougars have a small group of volunteers that do great work behind the scenes. Tyler Fleck does the Cougar Facebook Page and website, Trent Johnson the sound booth, and Kirk Himmelspach and friends man the score clock. Ben Johnstone is the contact for nearly everything relating to the team and kudos to all the gate workers, hat pool and pot of gold helpers. I’m looking forward to a great year coaching the Cougars.”
