SASKATOON – A new face will appear behind the bench of Huskies women's hockey games in 2021-22, after head coach Steve Kook announced Christine Bumstead will join the program as an assistant coach.
 
Through an initiative created by the National Hockey League Coaches Association, Bumstead will join the Huskies as a mentee coach in the Female Coaches Development Program.
 
"I was given the opportunity through the NHLCA female mentorship program to be a part of some really great hockey and coaching discussions, which led me to start looking at my coaching goals long-term," said Bumstead. "I want to learn as much about the game at this level as I possibly can, and also how to lead a team at this level which I think will be the most rewarding thing I get out of this experience as a mentee coach."
 
Currently the head coach of the Pembina Valley U-15 Female AAA Hawks, Bumstead balances her time on the ice with being a sixth-grade teacher in Morden, Man. She has earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Winnipeg, a B.A. majoring in mathematics in 2016 and a B.Ed in 2018.
 
Bumstead is one of 50 female hockey coaches from across North America selected for the program that strives to help support the development of female hockey coaches across all levels of the game.
 
An assistant coach with Pembina Valley in 2018-19 when the team won a provincial championship, Bumstead has led the team ever since. Prior to joining the Hawks, she was head coach of the Assiniboine Park Rangers Bantam AA team in 2017-2018 as well as coaching the Girls of the North AAA Spring program for 10 years.
 
"Ultimately, I am beyond excited to get started with the Huskies and begin learning from the amazing coaching staff here, as well as the players," said Bumstead, who is also currently pursuing graduate studies in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education from Minot State University. "I think working with other coaches is the best way to learn and become a better coach yourself."
 
Bumstead is set to add to a Huskies staff that features plenty of experience and expertise.
 
Kook, who has guided the program since 2005-06, is a two-time U SPORTS Coach of the Year and has led the Huskies to the Canada West playoffs for the past 13 seasons in a row, including winning a conference championship in 2013-14.
 
Alongside Kook, Bumstead will join assistant coaches Brian McGregor and Nolan Horbach as well as goalie coach Sheldon Goertzen and video coach Jean Fauchon.
 
"I am very much looking forward to having Christine join our staff this upcoming season.  She already has an accomplished coaching resume and I'm excited at the prospect of being able to get a fresh pair of eyes and her input on improving the things we do with our program," said Kook. "With us being able to return to a competitive season, there is a lot of excitement in our group and I'm glad Christine will be a part of our return to competition."