The Fort Knox are turning to a familiar face to lead the team into the 2026-27 Prairie Junior Hockey League season.
The club has named Mitch Topinka as its new head coach.
Topinka has previously worked with the Regina Capitals, OCN Blizzard, Dauphin Kings, Kindersley Klippers and Notre Dame Hounds, while also spending time coaching U17 and U18 players at Notre Dame and Prairie Hockey Academy.
For Topinka, the opportunity is exciting because it brings him back to a program and community he already knows.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Topinka says. “You get to go back to a place that you got to play and be a head coach at the junior level.”
He says his years behind the bench have taught him the importance of preparation, game management and being able to adjust to what is happening on the ice.
Topinka also wants to bring that experience into the development of the Fort Knox players, with an emphasis on simply putting in the work.
“Willing to work. Willing to come every day and be able to work on some skills,” he says.
Topinka will also have some veteran leadership to work with, including returning 21-year-olds who have already experienced winning a championship with the Fort.
He expects the roster to be a little younger this season, meaning the team will need to take things one step at a time.
“We’re not looking at the end from day one and saying this is where we want to be,” Topinka said. “We want to make our steps and gradually work our way up to it.”
While the ultimate goal is to compete for a championship, Topinka believes building the right habits throughout the season will be just as important.
And returning to the Fort Knox community is something he’s especially looking forward to.
“It’s just a community-based thing,” he says. “A great thing to do on a Saturday night is to go watch some Knox hockey.”
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