Thursday, March 16, 2023
North Saanich, British Columbia
Hans Kossmann has been around the game of hockey at a professional level for over 30 years as both a player and coach and now as a resident of North Saanich, British Columbia will be bringing his experience to help develop players on the Peninsula Panthers for the upcoming 2022/23 season. He was named as the Cat's Associate Coach early Thursday evening.
Kossmann played professionally in Switzerland in his early 20's and went on to an illustrious coaching career spanning over two decades. He has won at the highest levels in the game in Switzerland. As well, he was the bench boss of the Professional Fribourg-Gotteronwhen who competed in the 2012 Spengler Cup. Kossmann's Club lost in the semi-finals to the Canadians, the eventual Gold Medal winners comprised mostly of NHL players. The NHL was locked out in 2012 and a powerhouse squad travelled to Davos winning the final game against the Davos Team. The Spengler Cup experience was one of many highlights of his career.
Kossmann retired three years ago and now resides in North Saanich and only minutes drive from the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre. He had helped out the Panthers during the last several weeks of the past season but now will have more involvement in helping the squad move forward.
Here is a look at the Panthers latest addition's resume:
Personal Details
Name Kossmann
Prename Hans Peter
Day of birth March 14, 1962
Nationality Swiss and Canadian
Language English, German and French
Marital status Married, no children
Health Excellent
Achievements
Champion with ZSC 2018.
In my 3 ½ seasons with Fribourg-Gotteron as Head Coach and Manager, I have taken this team to top 3 finishes consecutively. Finalist in 2013 and twice a Semi-finalist in 2012 and 2014. Have the winningest record as a coach in the NLA for 3 seasons with Fribourg.
Champion with SC Bern in 2010. Finalist with Geneve-Servette HC in 2008
Worked 7 years together with Chris McSorley bringing Geneve-Servette from the NLB and establishing them as one of the most consistent NLA teams in the past decade.
Coaching Career
Head Coach ZURICH SCHLITTSCHUHCLUB 2017 - 18
1
st Team Zurich, Switzerland. NLA
Champion 2018
Head Coach HOCKEY CLUB AMBRI-PIOTTA 2016 - 18
1
st Team Ambri, Switzerland. NLA.
Head Coach HOCKEY CLUB FRIBOURG GOTTERON 2011 - 15
1
st Team Fribourg, Switzerland. NLA Finalist 2013
Asst. Coach HOCKEY CLUB BERN 2009 - 11
1
st Team Bern, Switzerland.
NLA Champion 2010
Co-Coach HOCKEY CLUB LAUSANNE 2008 - 09
1
st Team Lausanne, Switzerland.
NLB Champion 2009
Asst. Coach/Manager HOCKEY CLUB GENEVA-SERVETTE 2001 - 08
1
st Team Geneva, Switzerland. NLA.
NLB Champion 2001
Head Coach HOCKEY CLUB SIERRE 2000 - 01
1
st Team Sierre, Switzerland. NLB
Co-Coach HOCKEY CLUB FRIBOURG 1999 - 00
1
st Team Fribourg, Switzerland. NLA
Head Coach NLB - HC LUZERN, HC AJOIE. HC BIEL Jun. Elites 1995 - 99
Playing Career
I worked my way up to the NLA beginning as a player in 2nd league. Have had success working at all levels of Swiss Ice Hockey. Promotions from 2nd league, 1st league, NLB, and also promoted to NLA with Rapperswil and Lausanne consecutively.
In Switzerland, as a player I celebrated 4 CHAMPIONSHIPS and 2 FINALS in 11 seasons.
Coaching Skills
- Exemplify professionalism, discipline, and a strong work ethic
- Provide leadership through a strong technical and tactical background
- Create a positive work environment to maximize skill development and organizational efficiency
- Train and develop hockey players on and off the ice.
- Design and execute all aspects of a seasonal plan.
- Expert in practice planning, drill design and practice execution.
- Ability to manage hockey bench and perform under pressure situations.
- Ability to get maximum production out of individuals and teams.
- Ability to negotiate and execute contracts.
- Excellent at talent evaluation and recruiting
Relevant Studies
Coaching
INTERNATIONAL COACHING SYMPOSIUM 2000
Hockey Coaching Symposiums (Vancouver, BC)
Coaching
SWISS YOUTH & SPORT CERTIFICATION 1996-98
Coaching Certification Program
Attended respected seminars and Certified for LEVEL III
Coaching
INTERNATIONAL COACHING CONFERENCE ICE’96 1996
Hockey Coaching Symposiums (Calgary, AB)
Coaching
CANADIAN AMATEUR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 1993 Coaching Certification Program (Victoria, BC)
Education
Cert. Tech.
B.C. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 1982-84
Graduated with certification as a survey technologist
Kossmann is all smiles with the Swiss trophy in hand on the bus ride home from Lugano in 2018 after a Game 7 win in the Finals! As Kossmann would say, "It was the best bus ride ever."
GM Pete Zubersky was obviously beaming after his dinner meeting with Kossmann Thursday evening. "Hans helped run a number of practices as we came down the stretch in the Regular Season and his arrival on the scene was fantastic," explained the GM. "I believe he is the best coach to ever set foot onto the ice sheet here on the Peninsula and our guys absolutely loved his tempo of practice and the teaching points he provided. I believe we have secured one of the best if not the best coach in Junior Hockey in the Province and I am including Junior B, Junior A and Major Junior. Our Organization just got a whole lot better this evening. He is really a great fellow and we have hit it off already and our players absolutely love him, albeit, he has only been around the team for a few weeks before our season ended."
Kossmann is looking forward to evaluating new talent when the Club holds their Spring Identification Camp from April 7-10 at the Panorama. Click on the "Camps Button" at the top of the Home Page. Players in all positions will be committed to at this camp and it is clearly the most important one the Club holds each season.
Kossman will oversee the players and Team development. And his goal is clearly to bring the Panthers back to another Championship run.
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