Former Vernon Vipers forward Luke Pierce has been named assistant coach for Canada’s National Sledge Team at the Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang.Pierce had spent the previous two seasons with the Western Hockey League's Kootenay Ice before being fired June 2 2017.
In two seasons with the Ice Pierce went 26-100-16-3. Pierce was also an assistant coach with Canada’s national men’s under-17 team this past summer & an assistant coach for Team Canada/Team Red at the 2017 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge in November. Prior to joining the Ice Pierce spent the previous six seasons as Head Coach-GM of the Merritt Centennials. Pierce was named BCHL Interior Conference Coach of the year in 2013 played his final year of Junior hockey in Vernon (2003-04) after being acquired from the Merritt Centennials for future considerations on June, 10th 2003. In 53 regular season games with the Vipers Pierce collected (7-goals-21-assists-28-points).
Luke Pierce's Player-Coaches Profile:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=136883
This is posted on the BCHL website:
BCHL & CJHL alums in Pyeongchang
February 16, 2018
In the Paralympic Games which run March 9 to 18 in Pyeongchang, there is a former BCHL player and coach who will be on the bench with the men’s sledge hockey team. Luke Pierce, who played for the Merritt Centennials and Vernon Vipers in the BCHL before a Canadian University career at Royal Military College, is on head coach Ken Babey’s staff as an assistant. Pierce was also a head coach in the BCHL with Merritt, winning the league’s coach of the year award in 2013.
This was posted on the Hockey Canada website:
On to the next one
Fresh off a medal-winning experience at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Luke Pierce is sliding into his new role with Canada’s National Sledge Team
Katie Brickman
December 4, 2017
Luke Pierce’s year has been a whirlwind, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
In June, Pierce was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League. Already signed up to serve as an assistant coach with Canada Red at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, he added more Hockey Canada responsibilities when he joined Canada’s National Sledge Team an assistant.
“The coaching journey is never linear. You never really know where it is going to take you,” Pierce says. “When Shawn [Bullock, senior manager of hockey operations and men’s national teams with Hockey Canada] first threw the idea by me, it was out of left field, but I took some time to talk to some people that have done it.
“Right from day one, it seemed like something I really wanted to do. I think as trying as my time was in Kootenay, this was a great reset button.”
The Merritt, B.C., product has spent eight seasons behind the bench, joining the coaching ranks as soon as he finished his university career with the Royal Military College in 2009.
Pierce was general manager and head coach of his hometown Merritt Centennials of the B.C. Hockey League for six years and head coach of the Ice for two before being replaced after the team was sold this summer.
“I think the greatest part about coaching is constantly learning,” he says. “The moment you stop making mistakes and stop learning is when you are done. I loved my time in Merritt, but it was certainly time to move on. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity in Kootenay.”
Now it’s on to para hockey, and a new challenge – helping get Team Canada ready for the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
“This was a cool opportunity and I am excited,” Pierce says. “My timing couldn’t have been better … these guys have been slugging away at this for four years and I got to slide right in at the time when we are headed for glory.”
Pierce will serve as assistant under head coach Ken Babey, who has been with Team Canada since 2015. The 2017 World Sledge Hockey Challenge will be the first time the two have been behind the bench together, but Babey believes Pierce will be a great fit.
“Luke is a former player and a good communicator, passionate about the game and team orientated – those are all things that we are looking for in a coach that works on our staff and our team,” says Babey. “He is also within the age group of some of our players, so I think he can help with bridging the gap in communication and working with the players on an individual basis.”
The learning curve has been steep for Pierce; he has had to absorb a lot in a short period of time to get ready for Charlottetown. Para hockey is especially different from the stand-up game from a tactical perspective, not to mention understanding the personalities of the players, and the culture of the team.
“My biggest concern was if it was a different game, but I have been surprised with how little it does vary. Obviously, there are some things that are different about it, but the game stays the game,” said Pierce.
“I was shocked at how incredible these athletes are and the pace of the game that they play at and their skill level. It has been good for me to try and find new ways to help them because they are already masters at their sport. I am trying to bring little things that we can add to create wrinkles for other teams.”
Pierce also won’t hesitate to lean on his previous international experience; he was an assistant with Canada West at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge in addition to his U17 position this season.
In northern B.C. last month, Pierce helped Red to a silver-medal finish.
“The U17s was a great experience. Short-term tournaments are all about peaking at the right time, staying patient and building towards that final goal,” he says. “For me and this role, I can focus on those little things that might go unnoticed. Ken has a great handle on the rest of the stuff and I will do whatever I can to support so we peak at the right moment.”
And when this para hockey ride is over?
Pierce isn’t sure where he will end up next, but he isn’t too worried. The hockey world is a small one, and when this chapter ends, he’s excited for a new one to begin.
“Right now, this has been a great dose of reality. What these guys have done and what they have overcome is inspiring,” he says. “I am going to enjoy the hell out of this. If something comes along next, which I am sure it will, I will be a bit more grounded.”
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