Brandon Perry to Queen’s U
Homegrown head coach Brandon Perry is leaving the Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League to coach in his adopted home town of Kingston. The 37 year old Perry has been named as the new bench boss of the Queen University Golden Gaels.
Perry, who coached Timmins for five successful seasons, including an NOJHL championship, heads to Queen’s to replace Brett Gibson. Gibson recently retired after 20 years with the Golden Gaels, a program that he brought to Canadian University national prominence.
Not only did Perry play four seasons at Queen’s as a hard working forward and graduate from there with a degree in Economics, but he was a junior hockey mainstay with the Kingston Voyageurs for four years before that.
So, in essence, Perry is leaving his much loved home town of Timmins for another city that he grew to love. And he leaves Timmins for Kingston with mixed emotions.
“You’ve known me a long time now so to say it is bittersweet is an understatement,” Perry relayed to Hockey News North. “Timmins is and always will be home for me, but just like any player, I work extremely hard at what I do as a coach. If you would have asked me five years ago if there is any job I would ever leave the Rock for it would probably be the Queen’s job.
“I am sad to leave the Rock but am excited for a new challenge and a new chapter,” Perry continued. “I can go on and on with people to thank in the Timmins Rock organization but I will leave it at this. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity they gave me as a young and relatively inexperienced coach. It was the honour of a life time to be the coach of the Timmins Rock and I wish them all the success moving forward.”
Ted Gooch, the owner of the Rock and the man who gave Perry the coaching job with the NOJHL team five years ago, had plenty good to say about his protege.
“Watching Brandon Perry earn this opportunity at Queen’s University fills me with an incredible sense of pride,” Gooch relayed to Hockey News North. “While it’s never easy to see someone who has meant so much to your organization move on, this is an opportunity he has truly earned.
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Brandon for the past five years, and during that time I’ve seen first hand the passion, professionalism, and commitment he brings every single day,” Gooch continued. “He has an incredible ability to bring out the best in every player who has worn a Timmins Rock jersey. His impact extends far beyond wins and losses — he has helped shape young men, build confidence, and create a culture that our organization is proud of.
“Brandon has become much more than our head coach,” added Gooch. “He’s become one of my closest friends, and someone I have the utmost respect for both professionally and personally. Those relationships are rare in hockey, and I know that friendship will continue long after this chapter. Winning an NOJHL championship together is something neither of us will ever forget. The memories, the challenges we overcame, and ultimately celebrating that championship together created a bond that can never be broken. It’s something we’ll always share, and I’ll forever be grateful for everything we accomplished together.
“On behalf of the entire Timmins Rock organization, I want to thank Brandon for his unwavering dedication, loyalty, and everything he has given to our players, our fans, and our community,” Gooch concluded. “While we’re sad to see him go, we’re even more excited to watch him succeed in this next chapter. Queen’s University is getting an exceptional coach, an exceptional leader, and an even better person. We wish Brandon and his family nothing but the very best.”
