David Rutherford is trading water spouts for wing spans.
Rutherford, a former professional hockey player himself, has accepted the role of head coach and general manager with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Surrey Eagles, after leading the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s White Rock Whalers to a championship final after a standout season.
The Whalers, also known as the Pod, had a dominant 2025-2026 season — their best yet, winning the PJHL’s Harold Brittain Conference and newly minted Pacific Cup. They finished with a 12-1-1 playoff record, scoring 84 goals in 14 games, ending the regular season at the top of their conference with a franchise-best 34 wins.
Rutherford, a former Surrey Eagle himself, as well as a former player with the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants, also played in North American and international hockey leagues including the ECHL, CHL and EIHL throughout his playing career.
“When you think of Surrey Eagles … it’s such a big foundation to this community, they’ve been around for so long,” Rutherford said at South Surrey Arena last week. “I won a championship here … it’s full circle, in a way.”
In a Facebook post shared by the Eagles, the team highlighted his strong playing and coaching background, as well as Rutherford’s experience, leadership, and “winning mindset,” and his history with the team.
“Being a former Eagles player and champion, my goal is to once again, bring back another championship to our hockey club,” Rutherford said in the post.
Rutherford is bringing his two assistant coaches from the Whalers with him to the Eagles as well: Anthony Ast, who also competed in the WHL and in Europe, and Bryan Sharp, who brings a strong background in player development and a deep network of relationships across the NCAA landscape. Both helped Rutherford in leading the Whalers through their banner season.
“As a premier development environment, we’re proud to support the growth of our coaches and players alike,” White Rock Whalers said in a social media post, wishing the trio all success with the Eagles. “Even as David advances to the next level, he will have a lasting impact on our program having helped shape the experience we will continue to deliver by building a culture centred on opportunity, development and accountability, and attention to detail in everything we do.”
Joining the trio is assistant coach Matt Benson, who is also head coach of their Junior Prospects Hockey League U18 team for the upcoming season. Benson also brings a wealth of experience, as former U17 head coach for the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express and also, a former WHL player and student athlete.
“I think the big thing is, we all played at a high high level … you can’t help but miss it, when you’re back around it,” Rutherford said, noting he wants to bring the same culture of development, opportunity and accountability embraced by the Whalers last year to the Eagles this season.
“I think every year you want to come in and work towards doing things the right way, every day,” he said.
While last season was stellar for the White Rock Whalers, it wasn’t as good for the Surrey Eagles, who finished dead last in the entire BCHL with 22 points and an 8-40-6 record, with a roster that featured 64 players throughout the season.
“We’ve literally been on the phone with (players) just telling them what our standard is. I said it last year and I was saying again this year, if guys are 99 per cent in here, they’re not going to like us. If they’re 100 per cent in, we will probably be the most favourite coaches you play for,” Rutherford said. “So you need complete buying in and if you get that, that’s when it gets fun to be at the rink every day. And we’ve seen that in (building a) championship team. That’s the key.”
Figuring out what pieces fit where, watching video and setting out their goals of what they want their team to be are key, Rutherford said.
“We want guys that are team-first, guys who want to be Surrey Eagles and out and about in this community,” he said, noting that every year can be described as a building year, no matter the team. “Obviously, championships are great, but ultimately, if we can develop players, that’s that’s why we’re here. That’s our job description.”
Ron Brar, who owns the Eagles with his brother TJ, said he wishes former Eagles coach Brian Passmore, who wanted to return to Vancouver Island, only success while welcoming the Eagles’ new coaching staff.
“We’re starting fresh … getting ready to roll here. The fact (Rutherford is) a former Surrey Eagles player and Fred Page Cup champion with the Eagles is great — he knows the community, he knows the rink and he knows how to win,” Brar said.
He praised the local community’s support of the team — which won the BCHL’s Fred Page Cup in 2024 — through every season, even when they’re not winning, and hopes it only grows stronger.
Brar says their goal, moving forward, is to have an “incredible” elite camp and, “with this great group of new coaches, make a run for the cup again.”
“I think that we could go from the bottom of the league to the top within a year. If not, within the next two years we can be right back where we were before,” said Brar.