By Kevin Scott
GILLETTE, Wyo., January 23, 2020 — The Great Falls Americans Associate Coach is getting a promotion.
The North American 3 Hockey League’s (NA3HL) Gillette (WY) Wild have announced the hiring of Ethan Hayes to be their new Head Coach and General Manager beginning in the 2020-21 season.
Hayes is currently finishing up his second season on the bench as and assistant to Great Falls Americans Head Coach and General Manager, Greg Sears. The Frederic, Wisconsin native has an abundance of hockey experience helping with a variety of youth hockey programs and helping out his hometown varsity team when needed in Wisconsin.
During his playing days on the ice, he participate in all four years of varsity hockey and received All-State Honors in his senior season. He was a player under current Americans head coach Greg Sears in high school. He was also a member of two junior hockey franchises including the Hudson Crusaders (Minnesota Junior Hockey League) and the Northwest Wisconsin Mustangs (now known as the Minnesota Wilderness). In addition to hockey, he was also was a multi-sport athlete playing both football and baseball.
Hayes has already begun recruiting for Gillette next year and is excited about his new position with the Wyoming Tier 3 Hockey Club.
“The Wild have a great base of players with a lot of talent that are eligible to return next season and could do something special,” said Hayes.
After having been an assistant coach for the past two years in the Frontier Division, he looks forward to leading the Wild to the next level. But first, he will finish out the rest of the 2019-20 season with the Great Falls Americans.
Additional Media Coverage: January 23, 2020: North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL): Wild name Hayes as new Head Coach and GM
Additional Media Coverage: January 30, 2020: ABC/FOX Montana (KFBB): Americans lose Assistant Coach
