Four years away was just long enough for local "AAA" hockey coach Kyle Doherty.
A local product and one-time member of both the Oshawa Generals and NOJHL champion Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, Doherty has been lured back to the minor hockey coaching ranks, selected to guide the 2017-2018 edition of the Nickel City Minor Peewee "AAA" Sons.
"There was a time where I enjoyed a little bit of a break, but my kids are a little older now and I just feel that I have so much more to give back," he said. "It's a passion of mine."
While four years is certainly not an eternity to be away from any given sport, Doherty admitted that he is returning to one major alteration.
"There's going to be change for me because the last time I coached minor peewee, there was still body checking allowed," he said.
"Back in the day, when I grew up, it was on your stick, off your stick, get going. Now, it's hold on to it and find the right play. If it's not the right play, circle back and get back up in the play."
Thankfully, Doherty will inherit a team with some immediate chemistry, moving forward the entire Nickel City Atom "AA" roster from one year ago, with notable addition.
"We have one change in the roster from that group, and it's an exciting change for us," said Doherty.
"We have a boy moving up from Toronto (David Knapman) who has already played two years of "AAA" hockey in the GTHL. He's a big, right-handed shot defenceman who showed up in training camp and fit in immediately with everybody. He's a dynamic player and he's going to add to our team, help make everybody better."
From his end, Doherty sees himself as a somewhat different coach, clearly anxious to work with the talent at his disposal.
"I'm a father of three now, so I've learned patience and communication," he said with a laugh. "It translates directly to these kids. They're a good group, they're willing and eager to learn, absorbing everything I am throwing at them."
While Doherty is thankful for the helping hand being provided by parent coaches with deep roots in the game (Darryl Lafrance, Chris Morris, Tim Morin), he is also thrilled to be reuniting with former teammate Rob Dmytruk, an assistant coach with the Windsor Lancers (OUA) in 2013-2014.
The Sons will take to the ice on Aug. 25, as the coaches planned a mini-training camp in preparation for the kickoff of Northern Ontario "AAA" Hockey League play in mid-September, as well as the Canadiens Cup - Tyler Cragg Memorial Tournament in Toronto from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
Off the ice, things will start up a little sooner, as the Sons host a fundraising golf tournament on Sunday, Aug. 20 at Cedar Green Golf Club.
"It's a four-person scramble, we've got some great sponsors aboard, and we've added some fun stuff to change it up a little bit," said Doherty. "We're excited about it."
The individual fee of $150/golfer includes green fees and a cart, both lunch and dinner, as well as a goodie bag and the chance to win a variety of prizes, both during the day as well as throughout the evening.
The 2017-2018 Nickel City Minor Peewee "AAA" Sons feature a roster of goaltenders Nathan Cormier and Aaron Wright, as well as James Bertrim, Yves Doiron, Caden Dubreuil, Dylan Dutrisac, David Knapman, Nolan Lafrance, Jacob Leduc, Devan Madore, Connor Martin, Ashton Morin, Ethan Morris, Tyson Rismond, Cain Savage, Braden Vis and Cody Woods.
