Huskies hockey coach Dave Adolph announces retirement

After nearly three decades behind the bench for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team, head coach Dave Adolph is calling it a career.

In a release, the U of S said Adolph is retiring effective May 1, 2021.

After 28 seasons, Adolph steps down as the winningest coach in Canadian university men’s hockey history with 488 career regular-season wins.

“When I first started, I thought I would only be at it for three or four years … five at the most. At that point, I thought if I had some success, I would look at a chance to go to a professional league maybe or pursue other opportunities to expand my experiences,” Adolph said.

“We started by missing the playoffs the first two years but then we qualified the next 25 seasons in a row, and during that time I just never had the desire to leave. I am ready now for the next opportunity and have just recently really opened my mind to the possibilities.”

Adolph played 117 games as a defenceman for the U of S and finished his university playing career with a national championship by helping his team win the University Cup in 1983.

Under Adolph’s leadership, the Huskies have reached the University Cup 16 times, including eight of the past nine seasons from 2011-12 to 2019-20.

“The level of sustained success that Coach Adolph has achieved with the Huskies is unrivalled in the world of Canadian university hockey and is indicative of the excellence that he has brought to his team day in and day out,” said Dave Hardy, the chief athletics officer of Huskie Athletics.

“His commitment to helping these young men grow on and off the ice is an example to all who aspire to coach and we thank him for his many years of dedication.”

Adolph has coached 90 Canada West all-stars and 30 U Sports All-Canadians during his career.

Adolph was named U Sports coach of the year in 2017.