Trail, B.C. – The Trail Smoke Eaters would like to announce the hiring of Ryan Donald as their new Assistant Coach. Ryan will leave his position as Head Coach / Assistant GM of the Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Ryan has also held the
assistant coach position with the Florida Junior Everblades (EJHL).
Ryan is a Yale University Graduate (Bachelor of Arts, Political Science), and former Captain of the Yale University Bulldogs (NCAA Division 1). With Yale, Ryan was part of the 2007, 2009, 2010 Ivy League Championship Teams, and in 2010 as Captain led his team to a #6 National Ranking and a NCAA Division 1 Regional Final. Ryan's playing experience also includes time with the Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins Affiliate), the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League and with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the ECHL.
Ryan's junior hockey career was spent in the AJHL where he was an AJHL Rookie of the
Year finalist with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders, and also played for the Camrose Kodiaks as an assistant captain.
"I am thrilled to get started with the Smoke Eaters and work to build a championship caliber program alongside Coach Deschenes. The BCHL is widely recognized as one of the premier Junior 'A' Leagues in North America, and I am excited to return to Western Canada where I grew up and played myself. My goal is to help each player within the Smoke Eaters organization reach their individual goals, while also growing the footprint the Smoke Eaters have in the community and surrounding area. My wife Carly and I are eager to get involved in the Trail community, and look forward to starting the next phase of our lives in Southeast BC." remarked Ryan regarding his confirmation of taking the position.
"We are very pleased to introduce Ryan Donald as our new Assistant Coach/Assistant GM for the 2015-16 season. Ryan's coaching experience with the Woodstock Slammers, his playing experience in the AHL, ECHL, ECAC, championship experiences, and leaderships qualities make him an extremely well qualified coach for the BCHL. Adding someone of Ryan's calibre is not an opportunity that presents itself often and we are fortunate he has chosen to be in Trail for the upcoming season. It speaks volumes of the Trail Smoke Eaters organization, as it remains a well recognized and respected brand in the hockey world, and also reflects positively on the BCHL reputation to not only draw top end hockey players, but coaches as well."
Ryan will be involved in all aspects of hockey operations working alongside assistant coaches Barry Zanier and Craig Clare to continue to further grow and enhance the Smoke Eater's program. We look forward to welcoming him and his wife Carly to the Trail community." commented Coach/GM Nick Deschenes on the hiring of Ryan Donald.
