NEWS: Men’s Hockey hires Justin Stevens as full-time Associate Coach

The University of Ottawa's men's hockey team is thrilled to welcome Justin Stevens as the program's new full-time associate coach. 

"The opportunity to join Patrick Grandmaître's staff as an associate coach is an honour and privilege," Stevens said. "Patrick and his staff have done an incredible job top to bottom building this program. They have built a national reputation being a program that represents themselves with integrity and class, they are always a very hard working, disciplined, skilled team."

Stevens will shoulder the role after spending the past six years with the Guelph Gryphons, where he was an assistance coach before taking on the position of associate head coach in 2019.

Despite his years in Guelph, Stevens is not a stranger to the capital, playing three seasons with Carleton University before graduating in 2017.

"During my time at Carleton, my wife, Kelsey, and I fell in love with the city of Ottawa," the Brantford product said. "To now have the opportunity to move back with our son and dog and join one of the top programs in the country, we could not be happier."

Prior to Carleton, Stevens played in Division 1 of the NCAA with the Mercyhurst Lakers, but had initially taken a different route, playing at the junior level with the Hamilton Red Wings, Burlington Cougars, Youngstown Phantoms, and Pembroke Lumber Kings before opting for a university hockey career.

As a coach, Stevens has helped the Gryphons earn two OUA West Conference Championships, an OUA silver medal, an OUA Queen's Cup Championship, and two U SPORTS National Championship appearances. 

"I am a detailed oriented coach that puts a premium on team culture, comradery, development, and preparation," explained Stevens. "I believe in a servant mentality as a coach, and take great pride and responsibility in motivating, inspiring and educating our student-athletes to get better every day."

Stevens coached his two younger brothers, Marc and Michael, at Guelph.

"My brothers and I were fortunate to grow up with parents that support us in any way possible… Each of our paths were different getting to U SPORTS," Stevens said. "Everything came full circle for my family when I had the privilege to coach both of my brothers at the same time at the University of Guelph." 

During his time at Guelph, Stevens was able to get a good look at the Gee-Gees program.

"First and foremost, they always had a very strong, skilled team, so there were no easy games," said Stevens. "It was no surprise that Patrick and the Gee-Gees won the OUA East [in 2020] ... We met them at the 109th Queen's Cup Final in 2020. I was able to see firsthand how the staff and players represented themselves and the University on and off the ice, it was nothing but professionalism and class."

With the Gee-Gees, Stevens will have the opportunity to assist with player development, recruitment, community outreach, and the program's hockey camps, bringing experience and success from his last six years coaching at the U SPORTS level. 

"We are extremely pleased that Justin will be joining our program. He has been a part of an amazing team in Guelph and has helped them be a winner and a revered contender in the OUA," said Grandmaître. "I am looking forward to learning from Justin and excited to see his impact on our program." 

"It is a privilege to coach student-athletes at this level and work with so many great people," Stevens said. "When a team is like-minded and enjoys the process of working to get better every day, the sky's the limit for a program."

Stevens is filling in the role following Paul Stoykewych, who held the position since 2021 when he took over for Brent Sullivan. Sullivan has recently taken over as an assistant coach with the Sarnia Sting in the OHL and owns the Carleton Place Canadians in the Central Canada Hockey League.