Boutilier named new head coach, GM of Kameron Jr. Miners

A familiar face in the Cape Breton hockey community will return to the bench for the Kameron Jr. Miners this season.

Ryan Boutilier has been named the new head coach and general manager of the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League team for the 2019-20 season.

The 37-year-old Glace Bay native becomes the Miners’ third head coach in less than a year and replaces Kent Verbeski as head coach and GM.

“Sonny MacDougall (owner) has done an excellent job with the team, he turned it into a junior ‘A’-style program and something I’m proud to be part of,” said Boutilier.

“When the board of governors called, I knew what I was getting myself into with the Jr. Miners and I’m very pleased to be given this chance.”

Boutilier, a teacher at Glace Bay Elementary School, is no stranger to the rink.

After playing three seasons with the Glace Bay Panthers and later two years with the Cape Breton Alpines, the former goaltender turned to the coaching side of the game.

Boutilier first became involved in coaching with the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association in 1997 and went on to be part of the Hockey Nova Scotia High Performance Program, spending four years as an assistant coach, team leader and coach evaluator.

He later joined the Panthers as an assistant coach in 2005, before becoming an assistant coach with the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush for two seasons.

In 2008, Boutilier attended the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltending development camp for the national women and junior programs.

Boutilier later re-joined the Panthers and served as the team’s head coach for 10 years, before stepping away from the Cape Breton High School Hockey League in 2017.

During his time away from competitive hockey, Boutilier had the opportunity to work as a goaltender development co-ordinator for the Glace Bay and Sydney minor hockey associations, while also coaching his children in tots and novice.

Greg Mayich, governor and director of hockey operations for the Miners, was pleased to have Boutilier join the organization.

“He’s had past success with hockey and has continued to be involved in hockey with the community and we’re happy to have him,” said Mayich

Along with his commitment on the ice, Boutilier is also the owner and director for Performance Hockey Academy.

Boutilier, a married father of four children, credits his family for allowing him the chance to coach in the junior ‘B’ league.

“I have a very supportive wife and family at home as well as my friends,” said Boutilier. “When I went home and talked to my wife and family about it, they wanted me to do this.

“They knew the last couple of years that I missed the game… I really wanted to be part of something and wins are important to me.”

Boutilier has high expectations for the Miners this season.

“There’s no doubt I want to see this team finish first in our division,” said Boutilier. “I want to have a strong playoff and hopefully go for the Don Johnston Cup and that’s the end goal.

“They’ve built something here where I’m not starting over with this, I’m coming in at a good time.”

As general manager, Boutilier said he will re-evaluate the team a couple times throughout the year with his coaching staff and will make decisions at that time as far as trades are concerned.

“I think it’s important that we get the right players playing for our team and there is no doubt that Strait and Eskasoni are doing the same thing,” said Boutilier.

Boutilier hopes to have his coaching staff in place within the next week and will begin preparing for the upcoming season.

Although tryout dates have not been confirmed, the Miners will be holding player registration during the last week of August. Players are asked to register at that time before the camp begins.

Dates for player registration were not confirmed at press time.

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