Written by Drew McConnell

They say that all good things must come to an end. On June 1, t 2020, arguably, the best thing to ever happen to the Saint Mary’s Huskies men’s hockey program did just that. Trevor Stienburg, the head coach of the SMU Huskies men's hockey team, announced he was stepping down from his position after nearly 23 years behind the bench. While it was a difficult choice to make, Steinburg believes it was the right time.

“My parents are both not doing great, [my] dad's got dementia, and I’d like to see him before he starts to forget who I am,” Stienburg said to me in a phone interview. “I’ve got my son here who plays at Cornell, [and] I’ve only seen him play ten times over the last three years probably because he’s been away, and I’ve got a daughter that went to Saint Mary’s… and I’d like to spend some time with her as well,” he said.

Stienburg spent 11 years as a player for several teams across North America during the course of his career. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques 15th overall in the 1984 NHL entry draft – suiting up for the club in 71 games over the course of four seasons. Most of his hockey career was spent in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Fredericton Express.

When the Express moved to Halifax and became the Citadels, Steinburg came with them – and fell in love with the Maritimes in the process. So, when his playing days ended in 1994 (as a member of the AHL Springfield Indians), it was no surprise that Stienburg migrated back to the east coast.

Stienburg had a successful stint coaching for the East Hants Penguins tier two team, which he called “an unbelievable opportunity.” He then threw his name in the hat for the Huskies head coaching position, and the rest, as they say, is history.

“I swore I thought I’d only be at it for three or four years,” Stienburg said. "At that point, I thought if I'm any good, I'll get a chance to go pro maybe, or get the experience for it… but I just never had the desire to leave.”

During Stienburg’s time at Saint Mary’s, the Huskies rose to prominence and became one of the elite men’s hockey teams in Atlantic University Sports (AUS). Stienberg set the Huskies record for regular-season wins with 369, won three AUS championships, three Coach of the Year awards, and three medals in the USports nationals – a bronze in 2016, a silver in 2013, and the university’s only National Title victory in 2010. However, Stienburg’s reputation extended well beyond the rink. His rapport with the student-athletes and the respect he had for them made Steinburg a popular coach to play for.

“Stieny is the kind of coach guys love to play for. He wore his heart on his sleeve while coaching at SMU and got the most out of every player, even if it meant breaking a $100 stick,” said Stephen Johnson, a fourth-year forward for the Huskies. “He has had a tremendous effect on my life. He was my coach, but over the years became much more than that -- he became a role model and someone I’d look to for advice.” Johnson went on to highlight a particular moment that cemented Stienburg’s dedication to his players.

“I went through some of the toughest times of my life while attending SMU, and Stieny was always there to help me in any way he could,” Johnson said. “When my dad passed away in my third year, Stieny brought the whole team up to the funeral, I don't know if he knows how much that meant to myself and my family, but that was something I will always remember.”

However, even those on opposing benches hold the man affectionately known as “Stieny” in the highest regard. “He was a great opponent and rival and certainly played a key role in growing the competitiveness and national recognition of our AUS hockey league,” said Gardiner MacDougall, head coach of the University of New Brunswick Reds men’s hockey team via email. “His teams certainly made our teams better, and although there was a great rivalry on the ice, there was great respect for both teams off the ice.”

Stienburg and MacDougall have a long history on opposing benches - and they’ve even coached together. The two were also a part of the same coach staff during the 2007 Universiads – an Olympic-style competition for university athletes from around the globe. The two bench-bosses, along with Acadia Axemen head coach Darren Burns, helped coach Team Canada to a gold medal that year.

“The three of us were bitter foes on the ice, but Trevor did a masterful job in putting a great plan together for success and [it] certainly ranks as a top-notch memory,” MacDougall said.

Indeed, Stienburg’s contributions to the game of hockey are significant. He’s made a career of getting the absolute best out of everyone around him and has left the Saint Mary’s Huskies men’s hockey program leaps and bounds better than when he took over in 1997.

“[Stienberg is a] bigger than life personality who had a great passion for hockey and bringing the best out of his teams – [he] will certainly be missed in the AUS and U-Sport,” said Gardiner MacDougall. There’s much to be written about Stienburg’s incredible journey as the backbone and leader of SMU’s men’s hockey program. He recruited; he coached; he taught; he screamed; he motivated; most importantly, he cared. He cared about the game; he cared about Saint Mary’s, he cared about what it meant to be a Husky. He was “Mr. Saint Mary’s Husky” as Gardiner MacDougall put it.

However, most of all, he cared about his players. He cared about their achievements in athletics and academics. He wanted them to be the best they could be and realize their fullest potential. He was there when it mattered most, and he left an indelible mark on many people’s lives.

“On behalf of the team and the alum, I just want to thank Stieny for building such a prestigious program, allowing us the opportunity to continue playing hockey at a high level and helping us achieve a higher level of education at the same time. Without you implementing the blue-print 23 years ago, none of this would be possible! I am going to greatly miss playing for Stieny, and I wish him all the best in retirement,” said Stephen Johnson.

Enjoy the next chapter of your journey, Stieny. You’ve earned it.

More Than Just a Coach: Stienburg Leaves Indelible Mark on Players & Program

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