Maggie and good fortune play huge role in Brad Tippett becoming "Cats" new Bench Boss

The old adage that "Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good," was never more evident on Monday morning when the Peninsula Panthers reeled in a new Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations.  And if the coach was a West Coast Salmon, he probably would be a 50-pounder!

Brad Tippett, who hails from Regina Saskatchewan, will take over control of Hockey Operations when he flies into the Victoria Airport and onto the Peninsula on Sunday night via Regina.  He is clearly the highest profile coach in the Club's history.

Tippett is no stranger to an arena, he is no stranger to winning.  The 57-year-old played Junior "B" in Melfort Sask. winning a Provincial Championship with that Club.  He went on to play the next two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders, runner-up in the Canadian Championship Centennial Cup in his initial campaign and then was part of the Canadian Champion Club the following year.  Tippett went on to play four seasons with the Michigan Wolverines in NCAA Div I and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting and Finance Major.  He spent two professional seasons with the Winnipeg Jets Affiliate Sherbrooke Jets of the AHL and Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL.

Although his playing career was over in the spring of 1985, the game of hockey still was in his blood and it ran swiftly through his veins.  He immediately went into coaching and in his first year he guided the Prince Albert Midget AAA Raiders to a League Championship.  In the 1986/87 season Tippett moved up as an Assistant GM/Coach with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders and after one season became that Club's General Manager.  After two years coaching with the Raiders Tippett took over the Club as the General Manager only, however missed being more closely involved with the players.  He stayed on as the General Manager of the WHL club but also assumed the Head Coach position with the Prince Albert Midget Raiders AAA Team.  This Organization was the affiliate Club of the Raiders and the situation fit like a glove for everyone and for Tippett.  The younger players were able to garner all the information on systems, beliefs and what it took to move on to the WHL parent Club while Tippett was able to keep an eye on up and coming prospects.  He guided the Midget AAA team to a League Championship. 

The WHL's Regina Pats were keeping a close eye on the ongoings in Prince Albert and they swooped in when the opportunity presented itself and it took the young General Manager on an exciting and changing path.  In 1989 they brought Tippet to Regina with the Pats Organization and for four seasons from 1989-1993 he was Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach.  Tippett had cultivated deep roots within the Regina area during his initial time there and he resided there until his recent relocation to the Sidney area in August.  Five years after the last chapter in the book on his WHL Career was written he started a family in the Regina.  With two young sons in the picture and a bright career in Wealth Management well underway, Tippett still had a desire to stay close to the game.  He coached various teams in Minor Hockey in Regina from 1994 until 2012, giving back to the City and Community that he called home.

He was Vice President and Associate Portfolio Manager with RBC Dominion Securities from 1993 to 2012 and in 2014 he became President of Tippett Wealth Consulting Inc. and Tippett Financial Services Inc., two businesses that are still thriving today.

"Rob Mortin contacted me early in the Summer and let me know that he could not continue with the Hockey Club," explained General Manager Pete Zubersky.  "Rob said that he had some opportunities that would take him out of town for much of the time, opportunities away from the game.  It was a surprise and although I kept my eye out for a coach, I wanted to get the right guy or I planned on jumping in and doing it."

Zubersky interviewed three different potential coaches over July and early August but for several different reasons the fit was just not right.  And that is when Tippett landed in his lap.  He received an email from the coach asking about the team and letting him know that he was interested in getting together for a talk.  Tippett came out and watched a couple practices and then the two got together for a long coffee in Sidney two weeks ago.  Tippett then ran a couple practices last week and the two kept the conversation going until Monday morning when they came to an agreement on roles.

"We first met at 9:00 am for coffee three weeks ago and within 30 minutes we clicked," said Zubersky.  "I looked at the clock and it was almost noon and I could not believe where the morning had gone.  The one thing that struck me was how he spoke about his mother, Maggie, who resides in Sidney.  She is in her 80's and she is one of the big reasons Brad has relocated.  I mentioned to him about a week ago that Maggie sounds like a real hockey mom and Brad responded with a laugh saying that she had taken out many, many stitches on the kitchen table.  We have spoken at least ten times and I would say that he talked or at least mentioned her in at least half of those conversations.  It says a lot about the man.  It probably says alot about the Mom as well."

"From the first time Pete and I met for a coffee - I knew we shared a vision for developing young players, both on and off the ice," explained the new Coach.  "I have had a chance to be on the ice a couple of times with the majority of the players, I was impressed with their skill level and eagerness to learn.  I'm very excited for the opportunity to work with young men who share a passion for the game of hockey."

Tippett and Zubersky spoke on Monday morning about how the two would work with each other, what the role of Tippett would be.  "In my mind Brad has too much experience in the game for him to take a back seat in our situation," spelled out Zubersky.  "He was willing to take on any role, big or small.  I  just want to make this the best possible situation for the players as individuals and for the Panthers Organization, and we both felt the same.  In one of our conversations I asked Brad what he thought his strength was as a coach and he replied that clearly it was being a teacher of the game.  I absolutely loved that answer, it is what our program is about....it was perfect.  Brad will be the Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations and I could not be any happier to have him on board.  I really believe we will become very good friends."

The new Head Coach/Hockey Ops is obviously well-connected in the Hockey world and that should pay dividends for the Panthers Organization.  Not only does he have deep connections in the Western Hockey League, his brother Dave Tippett is the Head Coach and Executive Vice President of the NHL's Arizona Coyotes.  He was recently named assistant coach for the World Cup of Hockey's Team North America.

The Peninsula Panthers latest addition clearly understands the importance of Community on the Peninsula, Maggie has most likely filled him in. 

"I am looking forward to being part of the Peninsula Community," said Tippett.

The Panthers open their exhibition season on Friday, August 26th at 6:00 pm when they host the Westshore Wolves at the Panorama Recreation Centre.  They will play their VIJHL Home Opener the following Friday, September 2nd at 7:30 pm when host the visiting Saanich Braves.  A large crowd is expected for Tippett's debut.