Holoien spent two and a half seasons with the Battlefords North Stars as an Assistant Coach. (File Photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Behind the Bench

‘We’re going to do some special things’: Melfort’s Holoien named head coach of Thunder

May 14, 2021 | 3:01 PM

The Carrot River Outback Thunder have brought back a familiar face to be their head coach.

The team announced on Friday Rob Holoien would be the teams new bench boss. The Melfort native returns to coaching the Thunder after he was an assistant coach with the club from 2016 to 2018.

Holoien told northeastNOW he’d been in contact with the Thunder personnel throughout his time in Battlefords where he was the assistant coach of the North Stars, and when he moved back to Melfort in February, it worked out for Holoien to continue coaching.

“It’s all about the relationships and the people that you’re around,” he said. “And there’s really good people out there, and you never know when you’ll cross paths again. That’s why you keep those relationships, and find the good people to work with.”

Holoien said he was very grateful to be able to work with the North Stars for two and a half seasons, and it was a bit bittersweet when he decided to leave the club and move back home to be closer to family. Working under Brayden Klimosko in Battlefords, Holoien and the North Stars were one of the best teams in the league, which included an SJHL championship in 2019 where they beat Holoien’s hometown Mustangs.

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Holoien receives the Canalta Cup handoff from Stars head coach, Brayden Klimosko in the spring of 2019. Over the last three seasons, the pair won more games than any other coaching tandem in the league. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The position in Carrot River will be Holoien’s first time being a head coach at the Junior level. While he had an opportunity to be a head coach when Carrot River was looking prior to him taking the position in Battlefords, Holoien said he wanted to get more experience as an assistant coach and he’s learned a lot over the past while that’s going to help him be a head coach.

In 2019/2020, the Thunder had made the playoffs and won a round for the first time under general manager Brennan Hall. Holoien said he likes the trajectory of where the team is headed.

“Brennan’s got that team rolling in the right direction,” he said. “And I’m just looking to help out in any way that I can. I believe in what they’re doing over there so that’s why I’ve become a part of it.”

Holoien joins the staff which incudes Hall and former Thunder goalie Kolten Holmen as an assistant.

“It’s going to be a special relationship and we’re going to do some special things over there,” Holoien said.

Prior to taking the job with Carrot River, Holoien said he wanted to coach this year and was looking to help with Melfort Minor Hockey, which he said is hopefully still something he can do.

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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6