Former head coach, assistant headed to Wichita Falls

PALMER — In the world of juniors, it’s not only the players who are looking to move up the hockey ladder. Sometimes it’s the coaches too.

Recently, former Avalanche head coach Brian Huebel and assistant Sean Fish were each handed opportunities they couldn’t refuse. Huebel has been named associate head coach of the North American Hockey League’s Wichita Falls Wildcats and Fish will join Huebel as the new Wildcats’ assistant coach.

“Players, coaches, everyone’s trying to move up,” Huebel said after accepting the position. “This is an opportunity to do that.”

Huebel said he’s had a tremendous time in Alaska, serving as both an assistant coach and head coach with the Avalanche organization, but the opportunity to work with new Wichita Falls head coach Paul Baxter was too valuable to pass up. Baxter, who helped take Wenatchee to the top of the NAHL during his time as the Wild head coach, played for three National Hockey League teams during a 13-year NHL career. He’s also served as an NHL assistant coach in Calgary, Chicago, San Jose and Florida.

“Having the opportunity to work with Paul is a real honor. I’ve gotten to know him and it’s a great honor for him to come after me,” Huebel said.

Huebel said Baxter called the Avalanche asking about Huebel’s availability for the associate head coach position. Baxter then asked Huebel whom he’d recommend for the assistant position. Naturally, Huebel suggested Fish.

Avalanche general manager Dave Boitz said it’s tough to see Huebel and Fish leave, but he understands the value of the opportunity.

“They’re both young guys. That’s why they’re here. To get those opportunities and move on,” Boitz said. “I hope they do very well. It’s hard to see them go, but that’s junior hockey.”

With the guidance of Huebel and Fish, the Avs put together one of their best seasons in team history. The Avs tied a franchise record for wins in a season with 32. Huebel and Fish handled the bulk of the recruiting for the last two years and helped a number of players find opportunities on Division I and Division III programs. Among the notables are Jake Williams, Landon Peterson and Dan Senkbeil, who recently committed to Division I programs American International, Wisconsin and North Dakota respectively.

Huebel was named an assistant coach during Boitz’s tenure as head coach in 2009 after spending two seasons a general manager and assistant coach of the Wisconsin Mustangs of the Tier III Junior A Minnesota Junior Hockey League. Huebel was also and assistant at the prep level in Wisconsin before coming to Alaska.

Huebel played college hockey at Division III Marian College in Wisconsin.

Fish is coming off his first year as a full-time assistant in the NAHL. After capping a stellar career with Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2009, Fish spent a year recruiting talent for the Avs before taking over as an assistant for the 2010-11 season.

As a player, Fish tallied 35 goals and 35 assists as a forward in 107 career games.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.