The Timmins Rock and Queen’s University have announced Brandon Perry is leaving the NOJHL squad to take over the Ontario University Athletics school’s hockey program. Perry had been coach and general manager of the Rock for the past five seasons. Photo by THOMAS PERRY /The Daily Press
Despite his departure, Perry is confident the Rock have a solid core of returning players around which to build a team capable of winning an NOJHL championship
Thomas Perry
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
The Timmins Rock will have a new bench boss and general manager for the 2026-27 NOJHL campaign.
Brandon Perry, who served as coach and general manager of the Rock for the past five seasons, is leaving the organization to take over the hockey program at Queen’s University in Kingston.
“I am incredibly honoured and excited to return to Queen’s as head coach of the Men’s Hockey program,” he said, in a press release issued by the NOJHL.
“Queen’s played a significant role in my development as both a student-athlete and a person, and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to give back to a program that means so much to me.
“This is one of the most respected hockey programs in the country, with a proud tradition and passionate alumni, and I look forward to building on that legacy. I’m excited to work alongside our talented student-athletes and staff to create an environment where they can thrive on the ice, in the classroom, and as leaders in our community.”
While obviously excited by the opportunity coaching a program with a reputation like the Gaels enjoy presents, Perry was emotional about leaving the Rock organization and the city of Timmins.
“If you would have asked me five years ago if there was any job I would leave Timmins for, my first answer would have been no, but when I think about how I coach and do what I do, I am a good coach because I am connected to the places I have coached and being at Queen’s University, playing there and graduating from there, had a big influence on who I am as a person and as a coach,” he told The Daily Press.
“I wish it wasn’t so soon. It is just bitter sweet because of my connection with the Timmins Rock and how much this program meant to me over the last five years, but it is an opportunity that was too good to pass up.”
Despite his departure, Perry is confident the Rock have a solid core of returning players around which to build a team capable of winning an NOJHL championship.
“I think the success of any program is the culture it builds,” he said.
“Players come and go, coaches come and go, the culture is the strength of your program, not to discount the impact I have had in the last five years, but it is a lot more than just a coach.
“They have an incredible board here that’s done a great job and had a ton of success before I got here and I am extremely confident they are going to have a ton of success moving forward.”
Perry will have a few familiar faces with him as he embarks on his inaugural campaign behind the Queen’s University bench in 2026-27.
Frédéric Cousineau, the Rock’s starting goalie in 2025-26, will be one of the players on the Gaels roster.
In addition, other NOJHL grads include Dharan Cap, from the Soo Thunderbirds, and Ethan Larmand, from the Greater Sudbury Cubs.
“Other than that, it is a team filled with ex-Major Junior players,” Perry said. “They were really good. They lost in the East final last year to Three Rivers who went on to win the national championship. The team is in a position to win in 2026-27 and I am hoping I can help them do that.”
Perry is confident his skill set will fit in well coaching at the university level and he does not anticipate any major challenges making the jump from the Junior ‘A’ level.
“I am really confident in my abilities as a coach and leading hockey teams,” he said. “It’s not just a hockey coaching job. I think it is more of a program leadership role. There are a lot of aspects of the job that are unrelated to hockey. A huge part of it is connecting with alumni and making sure the program grows that way. On the admin side, I think there is a lot more to this position than just coaching hockey.
“I am, obviously, looking forward to connecting with old teammates, alumni, people I haven’t seen in a long time, trying to build the program, not just on the ice but off the ice, as well.”
Perry becomes the 13th head coach in the history of the school’s hockey program.
During his time with the Rock, Perry was named the NOJHL Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season and the Second Team All-Star Head Coach for the 2025-26 season. He was also an assistant coach with Team Canada’s U19 program for the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in 2024.
Perry led the Rock to an NOJHL Championship (2023) and three NOJHL Eastern Conference championships (2022-24). Under Perry, the Rock were also NOJHL finalists in 2026.
“When I think back about my time with the Rock, I get really emotional,” he said.
“I am really going to miss a lot of people here. They meant so much to me and my family, they gave me a chance when I was a young and relatively inexperienced coach and I will be forever grateful. It changed my life.
“There are just so many people to thank and I can’t get to them all, but James Daschuk, Marc Bisson, Eric Robichaud, Mitch Knight, Shawn Lee, Richard Plourde, who was with me for eight years, even before the Timmins Rock, he was my right-hand guy for many years. You have got Mel Brousseau Camirand, Dillon Beaulne and Lacy Rigg, all the trainers who worked with us.
“And, obviously, all the players, those were the relationships I cared about the most, a big thank you to those guys, as well.
“Ultimately, at the end of it is my family. It wasn’t easy on my wife, when I was on the road, away a lot.”
Rock president Ted Gooch said, “We are incredibly proud of Brandon Perry and couldn’t be happier to see him earn this opportunity to lead the hockey program at Queen’s University.
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Brandon for the past five years and during that time he has consistently demonstrated the professionalism, leadership and dedication that make him an outstanding coach.
“He has a unique ability to get the very best out of every player, not only helping them develop as hockey players but also as young men.
“While we’re certainly going to miss having him behind our bench, this is a tremendous opportunity that he has earned through his hard work and commitment to the game.
“On a personal level, I consider Brandon not only a great coach but also a great friend and an even better person.”
Gooch said winning an NOJHL championship together is something they will always share.
“That’s a bond that can never be broken, and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish,” he said.
“On behalf of the entire Timmins Rock organization, we thank Brandon for everything he has done for our team and our community. We wish him nothing but success as he begins this exciting new chapter at Queen’s University.”
Linda Melnick, executive director, Queen’s Athletics & Recreation, said, “I am thrilled to welcome Brandon to Queen’s Athletics & Recreation as our new Men’s Hockey Head Coach.
“His journey from Queen’s student athlete and graduate to his measurable impact on youth hockey provincially and nationally embodies the strategic foundation of our mission at A&R.
“We know that through transformative experiences in athletics, combined with academic success, Queen’s student athletes become Canada’s leaders.
“I’m confident his level of care and commitment to relationship building will continue to enhance our legacy program as he now leads our current student athletes onto their own paths of future success.”
Perry, a Queen’s Men’s Hockey alumnus, is returning to the university after having played for the Gaels from 2008-13. During that time, he played in 101 games, recording eight goals and 13 assists.
Perry was an assistant captain with the Gaels in his final season at Queen’s.
Prior to joining the Gaels he played for the Kingston Voyageurs (2004-08) in the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League.
Gooch indicated the Rock are hopeful of being able to name a new coach and general manager sooner, rather than later.
— With files from NOJHL Network
