Sackville Coach Named Hockey Canada Champion

A Sackville Coach is being recognized as one of Hockey Canada’s Champions.

Matt Estabrooks has been involved with the Sackville Minor Hockey Club for over 28 years.

He was nominated by his peers, who say, “He is the glue of his club, but most importantly, he advocates for the kids. He believes hockey should be a sport that all kids can play and love.”

Estabrooks was named the champion for December 30th.

He says, “Regardless of background, socio-economic status, whatever it is, they deserve a chance to be involved in a team and to be praised. They learn people skills, they learn to lead, to follow. You can play recreational hockey for the rest of your life, stay in shape. There are just so many good things about it.”

As part of being named a Hockey Canada champion, Estabrooks received a special Hockey Canada jersey, and a visit to his community with a video that tells his story.

Estabrooks says it is a sport he fell in love with at a very young age, “I had some really good coaches that left an impression. I coached right out of high school for six years, took a little bit of a break, then right back at it. I’ve been involved in the Executive and Coaching for a span of 28 years now.”

Right now, he has two girls at the high school level, who he has coached since they were four and five years old. They are now playing with Tantramar High.

“I’ve had the luxury of having some really good coaches in Sackville. A couple of them, it was the way they made me feel, the positivity they gave off. Those are the things you remember. You don’t remember how many banners you won or how hard the coach pushed you, you remember how the Coach made you feel,” Estabrooks says.