Pistons and Nighthawks add experienced local staff

Both of the region’s Manitoba Junior Hockey League franchises announced new staff hires this week, adding some great local experience to their organizations.

The Niverville Nighthawks added longtime Eastman Selects coach Gerald Tetrault as an assistant coach. Tetrault had been coaching the U15 AAA Eastman Selects and also runs the Eastman High Performance Centre and GT Hockey.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for so many Eastman players,” a social media post from the Eastman Selects reads.

“We’ll miss having you around, but we’re excited to see you take on this new chapter with the Nighthawks.”

Tetraeault will be supporting Beausejour’s Dwight Hirst, who coached the region’s U18 AAA team, behind the Nighthawks bench as they look to defend their MJHL championship next season.

He’s replacing Tyler Anderson as assistant for the upcoming season, as the hometown product moves on.

Anderson had been on the Nighthawks’ staff since the team’s first season in 2022/2023

“On behalf of everyone in the organization, thank you, Tyler, for everything you have done for the Niverville Nighthawks,” Niverville director of hockey operations Kevin Lansard wrote in a social media post.

“We wish you and your family nothing but success and happiness in the future, and we hope our paths cross again with the Nighthawks organization down the road.”

Down the road in Steinbach, the Pistons are adding a familiar face to their off-ice staff.

Matt Thiessen, who back-stopped the Pistons to Turnbull and Avanet Cup wins in 2018 and already worked with the team as their goalie coach, is stepping into a new role. He’s the team’s new tickets and fan experience manager.

“We’re thrilled to have Matt join us full-time,” Steinbach director of business operations Kevin Geisheimer said in a news release.

“The Pistons averaged 1,885 fans per game during the regular season and topped 2,100 fans on average during the playoffs, and we’re not slowing down. Growing our season ticket base and expanding group sales are priorities heading into next season, and Matt has exactly the background and passion to help us get there.”

Thiessen, who was born in Steinbach and grew up in Altona, was the first Steinbach Piston to be selected directly in the NHL draft when Vancouver selected him in the seventh round in 2018.

He played five seasons in the NCAA at the division one level where he picked up a marketing degree which should prove useful for his new role with Steinbach. Thiessen also won a championship in senior hockey this season, hoisting the South East Manitoba Hockey League trophy with the Winkler Royals, defeating Ile des Chenes.