Darick Ste-Marie hired as Yaks new assistant coach

The Bonnyville Pontiacs will have a fresh face behind the bench next season. 

The club announced the hiring of Darick Ste-Marie as an assistant coach for the upcoming season to work under Mario Pouliot. 

Ste-Marie comes to Bonnyville with limited coaching experience, but has been running his own company D Hockey Coach working players in the off-season with prep camps. 

He played professionally in the ECHL and the Federal Hockey League. 

“My experience as a player alongside the love I have in helping others to grow will be very beneficial for the players and team. I strongly believe that the better every single player becomes, the better our team will be,’ said Ste-Marie in a press release. 

“I am really excited to start working with our players, build relationships with them, and see how they evolve throughout the season.” 

The 33 year old Ste-Marie spent last year coaching minor hockey as a part of the Cree Nation Bears program. This hockey program emphasizes high-end development for Cree Nation players in Quebec.

Hailing from Longueuil, Ste-Marie joins Pouliot as the only other Quebec native on the Pontiacs staff presently.

The Yaks will also look to hire another assistant coach, going back to three people behind the bench. 

“Darick comes to us with not only a coaching background, but years of playing in the QMJHL and professionally,” said associate general manager Chad Nelson. “He also does extensive skills work along with having experience on the strength and conditioning side.” 

Ste-Marie is familiar with Pouliot from their time in the QMJHL, when he was a player and Pouliot was a coach. 

Pouliot said he will be working with the forward groups. 

He’s going to be very helpful to our forward group to make sure they improve in the right way. Darick is a good people person and an effective communicator. He’s a fierce competitor that wants to win, but for me, it’s his drive and desire to see his players win along with his experience that makes him a great pick for our team.”