Miller fills out coaching staff
New Inferno head coach aims to reshape CWHL club with experienced assistants
After a series of announcements to build an all-star lineup led by incoming head coach Shannon Miller, the Calgary Inferno have now confirmed their assistant coaches for the season ahead.
They are Ryan Hilderman and Becky Klein-Swormick (McGee). Hilderman comes to the Inferno after extensive coaching experience with the Calgary Royals bantam AAA, minor midget AAA, and major midget AAA teams. During his time as coach of the Royals, Hilderman also served as a regional scout for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. Following his tenure with the Royals, he served for two seasons as an assistant coach with the Drumheller Dragons in the AJHL.
In 2014, Hilderman founded P3 Sports Inc., a company based in Cochrane that allows him to continue to be involved with training players of all ages and skill levels. Hilderman is busy raising his family in Cochrane with his wife, Claire, and is heavily involved with Cochrane minor hockey as a coach, coach mentor and skills coach.
In her playing career, KleinSwormick played high-performance hockey for the Oval Xtreme in Calgary, competed in several national championships and was a member of the national junior team.
Klein- Swormick has a vision for the game, the development of players and the business of the sport. After retiring from playing, she coached midget AAA in Alberta for 10 years and was the Mac’s midget coach of the year. As a skills coach, she has led many individual, group and team skill development sessions and high-performance female hockey camps. She is currently a minor hockey coach with Girls Hockey in Calgary. KleinSwormick’s training as a certified Dale Carnegie trainer, with expertise in just-in-time coaching, allows her to connect with players and coaches to build confidence and strength.
“I’m extremely pleased with who we were able to hire as our two new assistant coaches,” Miller, who is replacing Tomas Pacina said. “Becky and Ryan bring a wealth of knowledge, extensive experience and a tremendous skill set.”
The team’s coaching staff will also include Krister Toews, who will return as the team’s goalie
Becky and Ryan bring a wealth of knowledge, extensive experience and a tremendous skill set.
coach for the second season.
In announcing the new coaches, the Inferno also would like to thank those not returning with the team. Gina Kingsbury, who has been with the Inferno since 201516, has recently been appointed as director of the women’s national team with Hockey Canada and will not return. Kelly Bechard and Juliane Jubinville will both be taking a step back from their assistant coaching roles.
“We regret to see these extremely accomplished and influential women moving on, but we thank them for their contributions and wish them all the best,” said Inferno general manager Kristen Hagg.