By: Agrani Tiwari
Community hockey is a huge part of Canada’s legacy. The Ottawa Golden Knights are one such team that has built a reputation in Ottawa’s hockey community.
Guided by the passion and experience of their coach and owner Steve Sundin, the team thrives on resilience and developing young talent in the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League as one of the junior B teams.
Sundin’s coaching journey began more than four decades ago when one of his teachers asked him and his friend to volunteer with the youth hockey program. “I started with the little guys back then what they called ‘tikes’ and over the years, I just moved up the ranks,” Sundin said. His path then took him through various coaching roles with minor hockey, AA teams, and junior squads eventually leading to his purchase of the Golden Knights.
Sundin’s approach to coaching has evolved. “I used to be a yeller and a screamer,” said Sundin. “But kids don’t respond to that anymore. It’s all about communication now.” Managing 23 unique personalities requires adaptability, and Sundin says communication has become an important part of his coaching strategy.
“For us it’s all about focusing on doing the little things right, winning our battles, and playing hard,” said Carter Pilon, a defenceman on the team. Pilon joined the Golden Knights last year and says their team’s constant effort and hard work is a reason for the wins.
“We’re usually able to bounce back pretty quickly whenever we have an off night,” said Pilon. “I think our biggest accomplishment has been, if we lose a game, we’re probably going to win the next one and we’ve been able to do that pretty consistently this year.”
Video coach Rowan McCarthy, who also handles broadcasting duties, plays a key role in helping players improve through video analysis. “It’s about getting players aware,” he said. ”A lot of the time it’s taking a player and looking at some of his individual footage and talking about things that he can do better or things that, maybe he wants to think about a little bit more.” McCarthy’s contributions are part of a broader coaching effort that includes assistant coaches Barry Cape, Matt Soubliere and Jack Parker. Each brings unique perspectives to the table.
Recruitment for the Knights is a blend of scouting and relationships. Players often recommend friends or former teammates, creating a network that has brought in talented players.
Despite the challenges of balancing practice schedules with players’ academic commitments, the team has maintained its competitive edge. “Steve knows when to push us and when to help us calm down,” said Pilon. “He’s been a strong emotional leader for us.”
Sundin credits this to their preparation, which begins with a June camp and intensifies in late August. “We’ve got a good system here,” he said. “A lot of the guys are local or come here for school. That connection to the city is what makes this team special.”
As they prepare for the upcoming playoffs, the Golden Knights continue demonstrating their determination to be the best in the league.
