ESCANABA---The Escanaba Eskymos have a new varsity hockey coach.
The Escanaba School Board Monday night hired Matt Hughes to take over the program that is coming off the best season in Eskymo history. The 32-year-old Hughes is a 1999 EHS graduate and a 2004 graduate of Finlandia University in Hancock.
"We have a good core group of kids coming back, only graduating four seniors," Hughes said in a telephone interview Monday night after the board's vote. "The experience they gained over the last few years will be a big factor."
"We're really excited to have Matt come aboard as our head coach," Escanaba Athletic Director Dave Wilson said Monday night. "He's a former Eskymo and was a stellar player up at Finlandia."
"He was the captain up there," Wilson added. "He's coached under our last three coaches here in Escanaba, and he's paid his dues."
Hughes served as an assistant coach for the past three head coaches: Ward Johnsen, Charlie Elliott, and Tim McCarthy. The Eskymos have made it to the regional finals three times in the last four seasons, the last two under McCarthy.
McCarthy resigned this past spring, citing work-related issues and time constraints.
In 2012-13, Escanaba rolled to a 24-4 record, and was one of the top ten teams in the state in Division Two all season long.
The Eskymos will miss graduates Jake Eastin, Ben Lasecki, Nick Vandermissen, and Bri Belanger...but will have five of their top defensemen back.
Hughes says that losing three goal-scorers will possibly change his team's style.
"We might play a little more physical," he said. "Maybe a little more hard-nosed type of game. But we still have guys who can put the puck in the net."
Hughes says he will pick carefully as to who to fill those positions this fall.
"I'm going to pick good character kids. Character speaks a lot in the game of hockey," Hughes said. "I'm going to make them work."
"The last couple of years, I've been able to contribute more and more and more," Hughes said. "I'd like to keep that success going."
Hughes works as a probation officer, so he knows good kids when he sees them.
"I think it contributes a lot, being a probation officer for the last seven years," Hughes said. "Kids in the hockey world aren't in as much trouble as some of the kids I see, but discipline is still important, and holding kids accountable for their actions."
"The kids respect him. The parents respect him," Wilson said. "He's a really good coach, and he knows the game of hockey. He's real excited to get going."
Hughes played for the Eskymos for three seasons, from 1996 to 1999. He then played hockey for three seasons at Finlandia University, graduating in 2004. Hughes helped out on the FU coaching staff for two seasons, before coming home to Escanaba.
The Escanaba School Board Monday night hired Matt Hughes to take over the program that is coming off the best season in Eskymo history. The 32-year-old Hughes is a 1999 EHS graduate and a 2004 graduate of Finlandia University in Hancock.
"We have a good core group of kids coming back, only graduating four seniors," Hughes said in a telephone interview Monday night after the board's vote. "The experience they gained over the last few years will be a big factor."
T.J. Myrick (9) skates against Saginaw Heritage. He will be back in '13-14.
"He was the captain up there," Wilson added. "He's coached under our last three coaches here in Escanaba, and he's paid his dues."
Hughes served as an assistant coach for the past three head coaches: Ward Johnsen, Charlie Elliott, and Tim McCarthy. The Eskymos have made it to the regional finals three times in the last four seasons, the last two under McCarthy.
McCarthy resigned this past spring, citing work-related issues and time constraints.
In 2012-13, Escanaba rolled to a 24-4 record, and was one of the top ten teams in the state in Division Two all season long.
The Eskymos will miss graduates Jake Eastin, Ben Lasecki, Nick Vandermissen, and Bri Belanger...but will have five of their top defensemen back.
Hughes says that losing three goal-scorers will possibly change his team's style.
"We might play a little more physical," he said. "Maybe a little more hard-nosed type of game. But we still have guys who can put the puck in the net."
Goalie Nick LeMire and defenseman Derek Chaillier will be back for Hughes in '13-14.
"I'm going to pick good character kids. Character speaks a lot in the game of hockey," Hughes said. "I'm going to make them work."
"The last couple of years, I've been able to contribute more and more and more," Hughes said. "I'd like to keep that success going."
Hughes works as a probation officer, so he knows good kids when he sees them.
"I think it contributes a lot, being a probation officer for the last seven years," Hughes said. "Kids in the hockey world aren't in as much trouble as some of the kids I see, but discipline is still important, and holding kids accountable for their actions."
"The kids respect him. The parents respect him," Wilson said. "He's a really good coach, and he knows the game of hockey. He's real excited to get going."
Hughes played for the Eskymos for three seasons, from 1996 to 1999. He then played hockey for three seasons at Finlandia University, graduating in 2004. Hughes helped out on the FU coaching staff for two seasons, before coming home to Escanaba.
