New Blood Behind the Bench: Puempel and Quick Take Over in Essex and Wheatley
Junior hockey in Essex County has a new look this season, with two familiar faces stepping into the head coach's chair for the first time. Matt Puempel has taken over the Essex 73's from Tony Piroski, and Kyle Quick is the new bench boss of the Wheatley Sharks. Both are in their 30s, both spent last season as assistants, and both are about to find out what it's like to run the bench instead helping.
Puempel steps up in Essex
Puempel, 33, doesn't have to introduce himself to Essex County hockey fans. Born in Windsor and raised in Essex, he was a 24th overall pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 2011 NHL Draft and went on to play 87 NHL games with the Senators, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, scoring his first NHL goal against Boston's Tuukka Rask in 2015 and a hat trick against Arizona in 2016. He also spent time in the AHL and closed out his playing career overseas in Sweden and Germany, most recently with the DEL's Schwenninger Wild Wings.
Puempel joined the 73's as an assistant under Piroski last season and now takes the reins as head coach.
"It's been a few months of us working towards today, and the guys are looking forward to it," Puempel told PowerplayWindsor.com. "It's a good group of guys, I've got a good coaching staff here, and we're really looking forward to the season and the experience."
He's also learning the job comes with a steep curve of its own.
"I think learning a lot. Times have changed over the years, definitely with kids, with the way the hockey landscape is, the way the junior hockey landscape is. I'm learning that part of it," Puempel said. "Mike Pailey has helped me out a ton, being around it for so many years, so I've really leaned on him but it's been a blast."
Quick brings it home in Wheatley
Down Highway 3, Kyle Quick is making his own return home. A Wheatley native who suited up for the Sharks during the 2012-13 season, putting up 45 points in 34 games, Quick spent last season as an assistant with the Leamington Flyers under head coach Dale Mitchell before being handed the head coaching job in his hometown.
"Honestly, it's been a lot of fun," Quick said of the transition. "We've got a very good group of kids here, eager to learn. They're gonna play hard, and they want to be here. That's made the transition super easy. Working under Dale Mitchell taught me a lot, and I'm just trying to bring as much of that here as I can, and help put a winning product on the ice."
Turning the Sharks back into consistent winners is the priority.
"We understand it's a tough place for kids to want to come sometimes, but the more we win, the more intriguing that is for players who want to come play here, and the more fun it is for us as a staff, and for the kids, to want to come to the rink every day," Quick said. "That's what we want to do. We want these kids to come to the rink every day and have a good time and enjoy themselves."
For Quick, coaching the team he once played for adds an extra layer to the job.
"I'm really enjoying it, I'm having a lot of fun," he said. "Obviously, playing here when I was younger and being a local guy, I take a lot of pride in this position. I want to put a good product on the ice for all these fans who come out here and support us every night."
An infusion of youth — and a rivalry to watch
Puempel and Quick know each other well, and both point to the other's hiring as part of a broader shift toward younger coaches in the league.
"I talked to Quicky last month," Puempel said. "He's excited, he's a local guy too, so I think you have a lot of pride in your hometown. That always adds an extra element of excitement, and I definitely feel that."
Quick sees it the same way from his side of the rivalry.
"It's just kind of the turning of the helm a little bit, two younger coaches coming into this league, trying to bring a new dynamic to it," Quick said. "It'll be interesting, and it'll be a lot of fun to coach against Matt."
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