Hanny steps down as Bisons bench boss

Photo by: Remy Greer/OWW

The following article appeared on the Okotoks Western Wheel website on July 19, 2017:

It’s the end of an era that likely will never be repeated.

Legendary head coach Mike Hannigan stepped down from his 12-year post after leading the Okotoks Jr. B Bisons to five Heritage Junior Hockey League championships, 448 wins in over 600 games behind the bench while delivering the franchise its first and only provincial title.

“It’s been a couple years where it’s been a little difficult with the family,” said Hannigan. “I’ve got a son in Peewee hockey and a son in Novice hockey and I’m all over the province. I found that I’m not going to be able to put in enough attention that needed to be put in to coaching a Junior hockey team.”

The Calgarian — a husband and father who runs a successful painting business — said he could no longer commit to the weekly grind encompassing up to eight hours of practice and three games per weekend.

The veteran skipper was involved in a coaching role for three decades and enjoyed two stints with Okotoks in different roles.

“It’s a very big commitment. Well worth it, but you have to tie it in with what effect it has on your family life,” the coach added. “My wife has always been supportive. Going on 25 years, she married that. When I told my kids this is what I’m going to do, they both cried. The support was there for me to continue coaching.”

Hannigan will stay on with the organization in an executive role away from the on-ice duties and time commitments needed to coach the team.

“I know the situation he’s in. I’ve got young kids, he’s got young kids,” said Bisons general manager Brent Trevors. “I was around the team a lot last year just getting the lay of the land. I don’t have to spend as much time around the team as the head coach does, it’s a big commitment.

“It was something I was aware of, but you don’t know until the old heart tells you it’s time. Mike has been around for a long time and he goes out on his terms. I was cool with that. Mike is a good guy, a good man and one of the few guys left that does it for the love of it. You stay in the same league for 25 years it’s a testament to what your real purpose is.”

The winningest coach in franchise history certainly earned that right.

After suiting up as a rough-and-tumble player, the coach quickly found an acumen for teaching the game and connecting with the athletes on a personal level.

“When I played hockey I had a definite role of being an aggressive hockey player and I had a few coaches that didn’t treat me very well. They expected you to do things you wouldn’t normally do,” Hannigan said. “I always said if I was ever to coach I would coach the way I would want to be treated. I really think that was the key for this level.”

The friendships, the relationships are what he holds most dear.

The coach was a beloved figure universally among his cohort.

When Hannigan led the Bisons to their elusive provincial championship in 2013 team captain Chase Fallis immediately presented the trophy to the adored bench boss.

“The players, once they’re done I still keep in contact with a lot of the guys I’ve coached over the years,” Hannigan added. “That for me has always been what it’s about. When I see them continue on as adults and live productive lives, that’s the part I’m going to miss.”

Okotoks will have to replace more than Hannigan behind the bench.

Assistant coach Blake Wildeman, who was in line to replace Hannigan, accepted an assistant coach job with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Olds Grizzlys on new bench boss Adam Redmond’s staff.

“I’m proud of Blake. He’s advancing and moving on to bigger and better things. You can’t get there without a little bit of a resumé with us for all those years as well,” Trevors said. “I look on at is a reflection on the Bisons as well and good for him. In a perfect world Blake would have taken over for Mike, but that’s fine.”

Wildeman, a husband and father of four, will continue to live in Okotoks and commute for his duties with the Grizz. He credited his wife Randi for allowing him to pursue his coaching dreams.

“This is an opportunity I couldn’t say no to,” Wildeman said. “In hockey, most times you don’t usually bypass the ceiling of the level you actually played at. I finished in the Heritage league ended up coaching in the Heritage and to be quite honest was going to continue coaching in the Heritage league until this opportunity was presented.

“It’s the next step, the next progression.”

Wildeman was Hannigan’s right hand man since joining the staff in the 2013-14 season – the last year in which the Bisons won the Heritage title.

“You learn a lot from a guy whose been doing it as long as Mike has,” Wildeman added. “Through Mike I was able to see the game a different way, teach it a little differently and learn from a guy who has pretty much done it all and made a really good friend in the whole experience.

“To me, that’s the toughest part is leaving Mike and the good people that are involved with the Bisons.”

In Hannigan, the Bisons players had a mentor and big brother figure who commanded the respect of everyone who stepped foot in the dressing room.

“He’s definitely set in his ways. You show me a well-travelled coach that isn’t and I will be surprised,” Wildeman said. “He’s successful in business, in life, in hockey because of the way he is.

“Pretty black-and-white guy. He’d tell you how it is.”

Now the team faces the unenviable position of filling the positions.

The general manager wants to put forth an organizational philosophy with regards to marrying development and on ice-results with the new hires on the staff.

“Lets move kids to the (AJHL) the 18 and 19 year olds instead of having them run to B.C. to play in essentially the same league,” Trevors said. “Stay here, put them through and why aren’t we going to be that feeder system?

“Ultimately I always think the perfect balance for a team in our league is to have half and half. The 20 year olds finishing up junior trying to win something and moving on with life. The other half is kids I want to get to the next level. To give somebody an opportunity to come in with fresh eyes, fresh ideas and say this is your hockey team, do as you please that’s important right now.”