David Rutherford is trading water spouts for wing spans.<\/p>\n
Rutherford, a former professional hockey player himself, has accepted the role of head coach and general manager with the British Columbia Hockey League\u2019s Surrey Eagles, after leading the Pacific Junior Hockey League\u2019s White Rock Whalers to a championship final after a standout <\/a>season<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Whalers, also known as the Pod, had a dominant 2025-2026 season \u2014 their best yet, winning the PJHL\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Rutherford, a former Surrey Eagle himself, as well as a former player with the Western Hockey League\u2019s Vancouver Giants, also played in North American and international hockey leagues including the ECHL, CHL and EIHL throughout his playing career.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you think of Surrey Eagles \u2026 it\u2019s such a big foundation to this community, they\u2019ve been around for so long,\u201d Rutherford said at South Surrey Arena last week. \u201cI won a championship here \u2026 it\u2019s full circle, in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n In a Facebook post shared by the Eagles, the team highlighted his strong playing and coaching background, as well as Rutherford\u2019s experience, leadership, and \u201cwinning mindset,\u201d and his history with the team.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a former Eagles player and champion, my goal is to once again, bring back another championship to our hockey club,\u201d Rutherford said in the post.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a premier development environment, we\u2019re proud to support the growth of our coaches and players alike,\u201d White Rock Whalers said in a social media post, wishing the trio all success with the Eagles. \u201cEven 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Coquitlam Express and also, a former WHL player and student athlete.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the big thing is, we all played at a high high level \u2026 you can\u2019t help but miss it, when you\u2019re back around it,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI think every year you want to come in and work towards doing things the right way, every day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n