(Sault Ste. Marie, ON April 3, 2023) – The ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Cougars are pleased to announce Tanner Burton as the new bench boss for the men's hockey team. Burton, a well-known face in the local hockey community, was the assistant coach for the team last season under the leadership of Mike Hall who retired following the 2022-2023 season.
Burton brings with him a wealth of experience, having had an impressive playing career and coaching knowledge. He began his junior career with the Blind River Beavers of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). After two seasons in the NOJHL, Burton moved on to play Division 3 in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for the Marian University Sabres. He spent four years playing for the Sabres and graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance. After completing his collegiate career, Burton went on to play professional hockey for several seasons in leagues such as the Southern Professional Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League. He then took his talents overseas to play in the Alps Hockey League.
Before joining ºÚÁϳԹÏ, Burton served as the head coach for Concordia University Wisconsin's ACHA D2 team, and was an assistant coach for the NCAA program while pursuing his Master of Business Administration. Burton was also an assistant coach for the Milano Rossoblu Hockey Club, a volunteer assistant coach for the Soo Greyhounds (OHL) and Soo Greyhounds U14 and U18 programs.
Burton's extensive experience as a player and his time as an assistant coach will undoubtedly serve him well in his new role as head coach. Manager of Athletics, Paul Orazietti, notes Burton's experience with the ACHA will help grow the team this season. "We are thrilled to have Tanner lead our men's hockey program. His knowledge, energy and extensive ACHA experience will no doubt be a winning formula for the Cougars in their quest for a second national championship. We are confident that Burton will also build on the tremendous foundation and winning tradition that Mike Hall has left him." ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is looking forward to the upcoming season under Burton's leadership and wishes him all the best in his new role.
Photo credit: Bob Davies
-30-