Ben Berthiaume recently took over the head coaching position on an interim basis for the upcoming season as a result of the departure of David Synishin who is exploring another coaching option in Kelowna, B.C. Ben has been an assistant coach with the X-Women for the past nine years and is an X-Men hockey alumnus. We sat down to chat with him about the upcoming X-Women hockey season.  

Tell us a little about your hockey background?

I was born in Antigonish, N.S. and I grew up playing in the Antigonish minor hockey system.  I also played with the Nova AAA Midgets, Moncton Wildcats, Antigonish Jr. A Bulldogs and the StFX X-Men. I began my coaching career with the Antigonish Midget female girls in 1999 and have been an assistant coach with the StFX X-Women for the past nine years.

What are your immediate priorities for the X-Women team heading into the 2014-15 season?

To continue on with what this program has been trying to establish over the last number of years, which is a championship culture and attitude.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

Our goals for this upcoming year are to be a competitive, hardworking hockey team that is going to compete every game.How do you feel you will manage the challenge of transitioning from assistant coach to head coach?I have been with Coach Synishin for the past nine years and have learned a great deal from a leadership standpoint. I have felt Coach Synishin has given me a lot of responsibility over the years as an assistant coach; therefore the transition should be relatively smooth. We have similar personalities so our coaching styles are very much alike.   

What are your thoughts on the X-Women line-up this season?

I think the X-Women are going to be an extremely hard working hockey team that will take nothing for granted. I think we are going to have a very determined and dedicated group that is willing to compete every game. We have a great core of returning players that will have to step up and lead by example if we are going to be successful this season.  

What most excited you about coaching the X-Women?

I am excited to work with a group of athletes that are so dedicated and willing to do what is necessary to become successful. I am also excited to be leading a program that is so rich in success and tradition.

Anything else fans and supporters should know about Ben Berthiaume that we may not have known?

I am currently on a one year sabbatical from my teaching position with the Strait Regional School Board to complete my Masters in Administration at StFX. My wife and I have a beautiful daughter named Zoe who is one year old.