When the UBC Thunderbirds Men's Hockey team hits the ice this fall there will be a new look behind the bench with the addition of Myles Fitzgerald as the program's new fulltime assistant coach.

Already boasting a healthy coaching resume including stops in the BCHL and internationally, the 31 year-old Port Alberni, B.C. native brings a healthy dose of experience, energy and passion for the game to this next chapter of his career.

"I'm really excited to get things going. It's a good fit for me to get back into the men's game and a great organization to get into," said Fitzgerald who recently completed a two-year stint coaching with the Chinese Women's National Team. "UBC's a winning program, a good school and to be able to work with a great head coach in Sven who's got a lot of experience, I just want to come in here and add as much as I can. I also want to learn as much as I can as well, I'm still a younger coach but I want to do everything I can to make this program successful."



Following a prolific junior career in the BCHL where he played alongside his brothers Gerry and Leo, Myles earned his degree from Bemidji State University where he played four years for the Beavers. Graduating in 2018, he embarked on a three year professional career in Hungary and Germany before making the jump behind the bench as an assistant coach with the BCHL's Cranbrook Bucks in the fall of 2021.

After one year in the East Kootenay, Fitzgerald made the trek across the Pacific where he helped advance the Chinese Women's team to the top division of the World Championship.

"There's a lot of opportunity at UBC. If you look at the history, it's a winning program, it's a great school, they excel on the ice," Fitzgerald said, ecstatic to begin this next phase of his coaching career so close to home. "It's very exciting to me, I wanted to go to a program that's done the right way and they do things the right way here, that's why UBC was on my radar."

Following two seasons with the T-Birds, now former assistant coach, Matt Revel, has moved on to a new opportunity with the Yale Hockey Academy in his hometown of Abbotsford as the new U17 Prep head coach. Leaving a big hole after helping the 'Birds to their first Canada West championship in 53 years and a new unprecedented level of success, head coach Sven Butenschon knew very quickly Fitzgerald was going to be a perfect fit to pick up where Revel left off.



"It starts with the character and the person. It's how we go about our recruiting and when it comes to staff, it's the same thing," said Butenschon, set to enter his ninth season at UBC's helm. "You're looking at a high quality person with Myles. He's learned a lot after his playing career and he's coming in with quite a bit of experience in that short period of time. In the discussions we've had, his knowledge of the game, his understanding of systems and skills with video and presentations has just blown me away."

Along with his recent coaching experience, Fitzgerald's college playing career and eventual move into the pro ranks will also serve him well at Point Grey as he helps guide the T-Birds through similar scenarios.

"I've gone through the process, I've been there before, I know what it takes with the time management and all the things that go on both at the rink and away from it," Fitzgerald said. "Being able to experience that myself, I think it helps a lot with players here and creating those relationships. It feels like I've been removed from the game longer than that but just being able to tie myself into the younger generation and still being able to relate to the guys while also being a professional at the same time. To be able to help with them moving on after UBC as well whether it's playing in North America or overseas, I can help them navigate through that."

"With the changes in the NCAA which is going to now attract and recruit some of the top players we used to get, we need to do more as coaches and programs and schools, so the timing of Myles coming in works," Butenschon added. "I'm going to really push him and support him in skill development for the guys. We need to do more in that area, I want to make sure the guys are ready to play pro hockey in top leagues and if we're honest with ourselves, that's why guys are going down to the NCAA, they're just a little bit ahead of us on that side of things."



Along with Fitzgerald's arrival at UBC, the departure of Revel, who spent the better part of the last decade with the team as a player and then assistant coach, this marks a new page in many ways for the program.

"Matt's a legend at UBC on the ice, off the ice, culture wise," said Butenschon. "He drove the program forward and took it to new heights. He's one of the leaders in what he's done in his time as a player and as a coach. He's what we all strive for at UBC. We're very close, he was part of my first recruiting class and those guys will always have a special place for me and my family and with the UBC program."

Fitzgerald will make his official Canada West debut behind the bench when the T-Birds open up the new campaign at home on October 3 when they host the MacEwan Griffins for a rematch of last season's quarter-final playoff series.