The Brisbane Lightning franchise made a splash last month, announcing the hiring of Mike Sirant as Associate Coach for season 2024. Sirant brings as impressive a resume as any coach in the Australian Ice Hockey League’s history.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sirant was the Head Coach at the University of Manitoba for over 30 years, from 1992 through 2023. During that time he served as the Head Coach of Denmark’s Senior Men’s team twice at World Championships, in 2006-07, and 2007-08.

Sirant also coached Team Canada’s ice hockey team on three occasions at the Universiade games (now called FISU World University Games), earning two bronze medals.

Hockey Hype Australia asked Brisbane Lightning General Manager Ivan Rapchuk, Head Coach Terry Kiliwnik, and Mike Sirant about the appointment, what it means for the organisation and the league.

Recruitment Process

Lightning GM Ivan Rapchuk commented on the recruitment process for Sirant – “We had been considering Mike Sirant in some sort of role with the Brisbane Lightning for the last two years. Our Head Coach, Terry Kiliwnik, has known Mike for a number of years, so we were aware of him as a coach and a hockey mind.

“We had thoughts of getting Mike involved in the recruiting of imports, or doing web-based sessions with the players, or giving advice on trainings and game management. However, timing just worked out for us as Mike decided to transition into retirement from his Head Coach role with the University of Manitoba Bisons in USports in Canada…and we jumped on the opportunity!”

According to Rapchuk, Lightning Head Coach Terry Kiliwnik’s relationship with Sirant was crucial. “Mike was intrigued by the role”, Rapchuk continued, “but Terry Kiliwnik’s connection was the real key.  There were many obstacles – mainly related to Mike Sirant’s ongoing commitments to his role at the U of M, but of course timing, travel, family and cost coverage were all involved as well.”

Lightning Head Coach Terry Kiliwnik added, “When I heard Mike was retiring from the U of M, I thought, “Hey, wouldn’t it be awesome if we could get him down here for a while”.

“My wife Bronwyn and I lived in Winnipeg for a long time and both Bronwyn and Mike’s wife Gail worked at a first of it’s kind Cardiac Rehab Wellness Institute in Winnipeg. So we knew each other socially and I knew what a great guy Mike was along with his experience and skill set.

“So I reached out to Mike to see if he’d be interested and he was. Everything just fell into place after that.”

“I was approached by Lightning Head Coach Terry Kiliwnik whom I’ve known for many years from his time living in Winnipeg,” Sirant responded. “We first communicated through email back in the Fall of 2023 and then met for dinner when he was in Manitoba visiting family at Christmas.

“I was impressed with Terry’s passion for ice hockey in Australia and his enthusiasm for the potential of the Lightning organisation. Terry is an excellent coach and person so I’m really looking forward to working together!

Rapchuk also acknowledged the support of the new ownership group, Michael and Julie Sugden. “The new owners were involved heavily in this process. Though the connections came from Head Coach Terry Kiliwnik, the owners were involved in every decision on this path and supported the concept from the beginning.

“They see both the hockey and media benefits of having Mike here. It’s refreshing to have a discussion with people who see the big picture involving hockey in Brisbane and Australia. 

“In fact, one of the reasons the owners wanted Mike to come was because he has committed to getting involved in some of the junior state team processes here in Queensland and also put his hand up for coaching development in Brisbane.

“They see this as just part of the larger hockey picture in Queensland and Brisbane to help grow the team and the league amongst the hockey community.  Mike gives instant credibility, and we want that to stick!”

Role and Coaching Style

Nothing will change with the role of incumbent Head Coach, Terry Kiliwnik. “At the end of the day the buck still stops with me as Head Coach”, Kiliwnik confirmed. “We’ve lost Ivan who was a great assistant coach and we’ll miss him in that role.

“Mike’s role as Associate Coach is going to have a long term positive impact on our organization. He will be invaluable in the decision making process as he sees the game at an elite level.

“Everyone on the coaching staff is thrilled to have Mike come on board. We’ve given him the role of Associate Coach since he’ll have a huge role but won’t be making the final decisions.

“We’re all expecting to learn a lot from him. We see Mike as a mentor and consultant that will help us grow personally, as a coaching group and as a team. He has such a love for the game and desire to see it grow in Australia he’s going to be a great fit with our organization.

“It’s truly an exciting time to be a part of the Lightning Organization or a Lightning Fan.”

So, what can AIHL fans expect from Sirant? Kiliwnik added, “He’s truly a great guy. To coach as long as he has at a high level you know he has to be a great coach.

“His love of the game and care for his players is apparent. Unassuming, modest, a real Manitoban. I’ll let you figure out what being a real Manitoban means.

“Make no mistake though, he’s competitive. You don’t accomplish what he has without having that competitive nature and desire to win.”

Sirant described his own coaching style, saying, “I would say that I’m more of a “player’s coach” in that I enjoy building positive relationships with my players based on honesty, trust, and caring about them beyond their roles as athletes.

“I am very competitive though and have a strong desire to win so I hold my players accountable in a challenging but respectful way. The identity of the teams that I’ve coached in the past is; play fast, compete very hard, physical but disciplined, and committed to playing on both sides of the puck i.e., offensively AND defensively.

“Through my coaching knowledge and experience, and my leadership skills, I hope to help the Lightning coaches and players continue their development and achieve their personal and team goals.”

Impressions

It is deeply fascinating to get an insight into how others outside of the Australian Ice Hockey League sphere see the league and its teams. Mike Sirant generously gave his thoughts on both the Brisbane Lightning and the AIHL.

“My impressions of the Brisbane Lightning are that it is a very professionally run organisation who have a vision of being an elite team in the AIHL”, Sirant observed. “After a very competitive inaugural season, it is clear that the Lightning are committed to taking the next steps towards winning a championship for their amazing fans and sponsors.

“General Manager Ivan Rapchuk and Head Coach Terry Kiliwnik are very professional, dedicated, and hard working people who are providing excellent leadership for the Lightning. 

“My impression of the AIHL is that it is a very competitive level of ice hockey that provides exciting entertainment for its fans. I believe there is tremendous potential for the AIHL and the game of ice hockey in Australia.

“The recent hosting of the NHL games in Melbourne has enhanced the profile and stimulated interest in the sport. I’m very excited and honoured to help contribute to the growth of ice hockey in Australia!”

Sending a Message

As mentioned, Sirant has impressive credentials, and for GM Ivan Rapchuk, the hiring sends an important message to the playing group, to the league, and to the larger sporting community in Australia. “I think this hiring sends a message to the playing group that we are serious about playing hockey in a structured and well thought out manner”, Rapchuk stated.

“It shows that we are also serious about trying to create something here in Brisbane – a real hockey culture!  We are also hoping that it can help with recruitment of imports and local players.

“Time will tell if this becomes a reality. There is no doubt that Mike brings a high level of hockey experience.”

Rapchuk continued, “I’m hoping that it sends a couple of messages – one to the rest of the league, and one to the fans and sporting public about the league. To the rest of the league it will show that Brisbane are ready to compete – even with the facts that we are relatively new to the league and have a larger travel impost compared to the NSW, ACT or VIC teams so our ability to spend on imports and other amenities is more limited.

“To those outside the league – the fans and sporting public – it will also show that the AIHL is a serious league, that the hockey played here is competitive and strong despite the fact that we are a small hockey country, and that we want a larger piece of the sporting landscape pie in Australia.”

Short-term or long-term?

GM Ivan Rapchuk certainly hopes Sirant becomes a part of the Lightning organisation for the foreseeable future. “Time will tell!! Right now this is just for one season. Whether Mike physically comes back to Australia will be a discussion for much later in the year.

“However, the relationship between the Brisbane Lightning and Mike Sirant will be maintained regardless with connections around training, game strategy and player and import selection. Mike is a keen hockey mind and he’s also a guy who, once committed, is in for the long haul.”

Sirant added, “My agreement with the Lightning is for the 2024 season however, I would be open to a longer term and to also contribute in some capacity to IHA’s Men’s and Women’s National Team programs if the opportunity was available.”

Hockey Hype Australia is grateful for the support and cooperation of the Lightning organisation with these responses.