A former National Hockey League player will be the inaugural head coach of the new Summerland Jets junior hockey team.
Robert Dirk will lead the community-owned junior team in the British Columbia Hockey Conference for the 2026 to 2027 hockey season.
Dirk has extensive playing and coaching experience and a commitment to player development.
He was born in Regina and raised in Kelowna, where he played minor hockey before playing junior hockey with the Kelowna Buckaroos in the B.C. Junior Hockey League and the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League.
He then spent 11 years playing 402 National Hockey League games with the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Montreal Canadiens.
In 1984, he was drafted 53rd overall in the NHL Entry Draft.
During his NHL career, the defenceman had 42 points and 786 penalty minutes.
After his playing career, he moved into coaching and hockey operations with teams including the Winston-Salem Icehawks, Saginaw Gears, Tacoma Sabercats, and Texas Wildcatters, along with leadership positions in hockey operations.
In 1998, he was recognized as United Hockey League Coach of the Year while coaching the Winston-Salem Icehawks.
He has worked with elite player development, including as head coach of the Okanagan Hockey Academy U18 Prep program. In 2026, he was named a U18 Prep nominee for the Canadian Sport School Hockey League’s 2025 to 2026 Coach of the Year Award, as voted by fellow coaches.
“Robert brings exactly the kind of experience, discipline, and player-first leadership we were looking for in our inaugural head coach,” said Terry Rolston, board chair of the Summerland Junior Jets Hockey Society.
“He understands what it takes to compete, but just as importantly, he understands how to build culture, mentor young players, and help create something a community can be proud of. As we prepare for our first BCHC season, we could not ask for a better person to help set the foundation.”
Rolston added that Dirk’s coaching philosophy is aligned with the goals of the new junior hockey team.
“I’m honoured to be part of bringing junior hockey back to Summerland,” said Dirk.
“This is a chance to build something the community can truly rally around while helping young players develop as athletes and as people. I’m excited to get to work and to be part of this next chapter for hockey in Summerland.”
The hockey team will hold its Spring ID Camp from May 1 to 3 at the Summerland Arena. A main camp will be held later.
The team is a not-for-profit community-owned organization.
“This is about more than filling a bench,” said Rolston.
“It is about building a team, a culture, and a community asset that belongs to Summerland. We’re excited for what Robert brings to that vision, and we’re excited to keep building with the support of local families, businesses, and the wider community.”