After seven years behind the bench, Dana Boothby has stepped down as head coach of the Heritage Junior Hockey League’s (HJHL) Cochrane Generals.
“I’ve been coaching for 19 consecutive years at all the levels,” Boothby said, who has also worked with several minor teams over the past two decades.
“I just need a break to refresh. I don’t know how long that break’s going to be, but it’ll be one season for sure.”
Boothby ends his coaching career with the Generals with a 167W-36L-7T-3OTL regular season record in seven seasons. Under his leadership, the Generals won two division titles and two league titles.
The team finished the 2011-2012 season in second place in the HJHL’s south division with a 26W-10L-2T-2OTL record.
They defeated the Strathmore Wheat Kings 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs before the Okotoks Bisons swept them in the second round.
The Bisons eventually won the league championship.
For Boothby, the team’s accomplishments and success were bolstered by his passion for the game and how coaching allowed him to stay involved with it.
“(My time with the Generals) was great,” he said.
“I love the game. You get to see the development of the players, you’re in the loop and you have the best seat in the house to watch the game. I (enjoyed) the team aspect and the competitive nature of the game as the season progressed. You’re trying to beat the other teams and trying to improve and that dynamic is great.”
Stepping back from coaching will give Boothby more time to dedicate to his full-time job and go on golfing excursions to the U.S., but he hopes to remain involved with the team in some capacity.
“I run a ranch, so I’m pretty busy,” he said.
“In the winter, I’d like to play golf down in the States for a short stint, but I might get bored of that quickly. I might be back sooner than later. I’m going to help out the Generals in some regard, helping out the next coach if he wants me. Even if it’s picking up pucks, I don’t mind.”
