Hood returning as Cold Lake Ice coach

Scott Hood is returning behind the bench.

The Cold Lake Ice committed to Hood last week for two more seasons as the head coach.

Hood has been in the role for the past five seasons.

He left no doubt on whether he’s excited to keep doing the job.

“Yeah one hundred per cent,” laughed Hood.

“I’ve been doing it for five years, met some good people, met some good kids that love what I do. Obviously, with everything going on, it’s a little tougher to get real excited,” he said.

“We don’t know if we’re playing or what we’re doing, but it’s a good time and we have some good local players and some kids coming in that are interested in heard about our program and give it another shot.”

The tentative start to the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey season is October 30, said Hood, but uncertainty looms whether games will be allowed to resume.

The Cold Lake Ice defeated the Killam Wheat Kings in the opening round, but were eliminated in five games during the second round of playoffs early this March by the Lac La Biche Clippers.

Just days later, the NEAJBHL final, which also featured the St. Paul Canadiens, was cancelled.

Hood hopes that when the team is given the green light, they can claim their sixth NEAJBHL championship.

“At the end of the day, once a guy wins a championship, I’m out. Well I’ve got two more years to win it. But it’s about building a relationship in the community and helping the community and being a part of it. We have good sponsors. And we have the best fans in the league,” he said.

“It’s a great experience to come to the game and obviously with us winning organization of the year, it shows what our board or volunteers do each and every game.”

Hood said he is looking for assistant coaches.