SYDNEY, N.S. – Former Truro resident John Kibyuk will never forget the day he first stepped behind the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles bench as an assistant coach in September 2011.
The North Sydney native had been part of the local Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team’s coaching staff for three years prior but sat in the press box as the “eye in the sky” for then head coach Mario Durocher.
“It was probably one of my most memorable moments with the Screaming Eagles – it was on my list of things to do,” said Kibyuk.
“To be able to coach various players – I can’t name them because it wouldn’t do justice – I feel privileged to be around and see those guys move on to professional hockey, having great careers and to see them grow as fine young men and making an impact in (their) communities.”
After accepting a territory manager position with Labatt Breweries in Cape Breton in 2006, Kibyuk knew he wanted to be part of the Screaming Eagles organization one day.
“I decided to call Paul MacDonald (the former president of the team) to see what might be available with the Screaming Eagles and he put me in touch with Mario Durocher,” said Kibyuk. “It all started from there and it’s a pleasure to be part of the organization today.”
In his playing days, Kibyuk played his minor hockey in North Sydney and suited up in both the high school and junior ‘B’ levels. He later played for Saint Mary’s University, spending one season with the Halifax school.
He continued his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey Association where he played three seasons between the Toronto Marlboros, Guelph Holody Platers and Windsor Spitfires, recording 42 goals and 49 assists for 91 points in 161 career games.
“I was fortunate to skate against the best hockey player to ever play the game, Wayne Gretzky, when he was in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Kibyuk. “Joel Quenneville (former Chicago Blackhawks head coach) was my roommate on road trips on occasion and he was a great guy.”
In 1978, Kibyuk was invited to Detroit Red Wings training camp and would play in the International Hockey League for the Kalamazoo Red Wings and the Muskegan Mohawks, before returning to the Maritimes to attend Dalhousie University in Halifax.
“I knew that my skill could only take me so far and I came to a point in my career that I knew I wasn’t going to crack the big league, so it was time to look at getting an education,” said Kibyuk.
While at Dalhousie, Kibyuk earned his physical education degree while playing for the Tigers for three seasons.
After university, Kibyuk was selected as a member of the Olympic Hope Team in 1983 and toured Canada to play against Sokol Kiev from Russia.
He started his coaching career in 1984 as an assistant with the Dalhousie men’s university team. He would later coach junior A in Halifax, and senior hockey for the Truro Bearcats, guiding the team to an Allan Cup national championship in 1997-98. Other coaching stints included St. Francis Xavier, and the Brookfield junior B Elks. He also returned to the junior A ranks in Halifax and won Fred Page Cup Eastern Canadian and Royal Bank Cup national titles.
Work commitments forced Kibyuk to accept a position with the Screaming Eagles on a part-time basis, meaning Kibyuk doesn’t travel with the team, however, he attends practices and the club’s home games.
“There was no way I could have put the hours in that are required to be a full-time coach and assistant coach in this league,” said Kibyuk. “I was fortunate enough that the Screaming Eagles believed that I brought some value on a part-time basis to be around the program.”
Work will no longer be an issue for Kibyuk. He officially retired from his position with Labatt Breweries on Jan. 1, after 28 years with the company but he remains a part-time assistant coach.
“It’s a special time for me,” said Kibyuk. “I’m enjoying being part of the Screaming Eagles organization and I’ve learned a lot about the game at this level and it’s been very rewarding for me.”
