About Kirk Tomlinson
Kirk Tomlinson played eight seasons of professional hockey after being drafted 76th overall in 1986 by the Minnesota North Stars.
Prior to turning pro, Kirk had an illustrious Major Junior career spanning five years, and including two OHL All Star teams. After Major Junior, Kirk graduated to the American Hockey League where he spent the next three seasons with the Adirondack Red Wings. A Calder Cup Championship highlighted his tenure with the Wings. He then moved on to the International Hockey League to complete the final three years of his playing career. During the 95/96 seasons with the Peoria Rivermen, he sustained a career-ending shoulder injury. This injury ended his playing days, but did not keep him away from the game for very long.
In 1997-98 Tomlinson joined the Quad City Mallards of the United Hockey League as an Assistant Coach, and helped guide the club to a league championship. His next move was to become the first Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Gold Kings of the West Coast Hockey League. He spent three successful seasons with Colorado where he was named Coach of the Year.
It was in Colorado that Tomlinson helped establish a minor hockey association, named after his team, the Jr. Gold Kings. Kirk oversaw the development of the league, coaches and players. It was also in Colorado where he ran a very successful hockey school for three years.
Tomlinson’s next move was to Michigan, taking his winning ways to the Flint Generals of the United Hockey League. He then wound up his coaching career in Lubbock, Texas, for the CottonKings in the Central Hockey League.
In 2004, Tomlinson made the tough decision to retire from coaching to raise a young family and settle down. He and his wife Betts - plus twin daughters Abby and Brooke - now live in Hammonds Plains.
Presently, Kirk is working with TASA in a developmental capacity working with both coaches and players on and off the ice. This will be the third summer for the successful Tomlinson Elite summer hockey programs. Kirk also has various private groups of players that he instructs on a weekly basis throughout the hockey season and over the summer. Kirk is the head coach of the Halifax McDonalds Major Midget hockey team of the NSMMHL.
According to Tomlinson, "What I want to do now is carve out a niche in minor hockey here in Nova Scotia. I want to teach the game of hockey to young players. I believe that I have the experience and understanding of the game to do just that, and I look forward to the challenge!" |
