Local junior hockey fans will know all about the on ice successes of Mitch Visser during his split Alberta Junior Hockey League and Heritage Junior Hockey League career, but now the 25 year old is chasing a different sort of dream.
Visser played 60 games in the AJHL with the Olds Grizzlys, prior to playing out his Junior career with Mountain View Colts where he put up 50 goals and 107 points in 122 HJHL games.
The Didsbury product was a member of team when the Colts won the HJHL league championship in 2016.
Visser says he has fond memories as his time with Colts, he says Gord Olson gave him the opportunity to continue his career after suffering a knee injury in his 18 year old season.
Mitch Visser is the 5th all time points leader for the Mountain View Colts.
His playing career came to an end in 2020, but Visser says he’s always wanted to make a career of hockey so the next natural step was onto the bench.
“My dad has been in minor hockey, always coached and helped out. He moved onto the Mountain View Colts organization after I left, he always bugged me about getting into coaching so I helped him out there last year. Making a career from hockey is the dream so then this year when Brad (Tobin) needed help and the opportunity came about I pounced on it, cause, I just want to help the boys get back to the glory days of the 90s.”
Mitch’s dad, Dan Visser, was head coach of the Mountain View Colts for 2 seasons.
Mitch says it’s been a great experience with the Grizzlys so far, adding that he is enjoying learning from head coach Brad Tobin and fellow assistant coach Colton Hayes.
He thinks the team is on the right path.
“We got a great group of guys here, great leaders. Brad and Colton have been great to me, helping me and kind of showing me the way things go here. The group, you can tell, they love each other. They’re clicking, it’s looking good that’s for sure.”
Mitch Visser was asked what his long term goals are for his coaching career.
“To be honest with you, I really want to stay here and help this organization because it’s been struggling the past couple years and I think the community deserves better and I just want to help this team out. Not really looking forward, just worried about the right now.”
Visser and the Olds Grizzlys will resume their regular season schedule on Friday night, when they host the Camrose Kodiaks in the second of a four game homestand.
