A new but familiar face will be behind the bench when the Airdrie CFR Chemicals Bisons start the 2018/2019 season this fall.

Associate Coach Dustin Taylor was announced as the new Head Coach for the Bisons yesterday (April 26th) and was quite thrilled when he got the news.

Coach Dustin Taylor during his time with the University of Alberta (Photo Courtesy: Dustin Taylor)

“It’s a team that I used to play for when they were back in Strathmore over ten years ago. It’s kind of like a first love of hockey of mine. When I received the offer, I was quite ecstatic to have received it and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Taylor served as the team’s Associate Coach last year and was an Assistant Coach at the University of Alberta before that.

In his playing days, Taylor was with the Bisons in Strathmore in the 2007/2008 season before moving on to two seasons at the University of Victoria.

While the team is still new to Airdrie after relocating from Strathmore last summer, Taylor is looking forward to building the Midget AAA culture in Airdrie.

“Despite it being the same time under the same name, it’s very much a new environment and so with that comes a whole bunch of hurdles that you have to stride over. I think we set the foundation last year and as we continue on through this transition, we’re going to keep building on that culture and work towards establishing one where it’s one of competitive excellence.”

In the process of building that culture, Taylor is hopeful that the community will embrace the Bisons.

“Obviously this is just a different brand of hockey that they haven’t been exposed to in a number of years and so we want to help build that relationship and get more people out to the arena. We want to get our players more involved with the community and give back to the place that’s raising us and our players.”

The Bisons will soon name the rest of the coaching staff and begin preparations for the new season.

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