By Kris Smith
Hughes first signed with the Stars in 2010 and was made captain for the 2010-2011 Elite League campaign.
The Canadian forward already had EIHL experience when he joined Dundee, as he had spent previous seasons with the Basingstoke Bison and Newcastle Vipers, but he also had experience in North America’s Central Hockey League and International Hockey League.
Brent was only with the club for two seasons and after leaving in 2012, he shared more about where his life took him after departing Dundee.
He begun: “After making the tough decision to not return to Dundee, due to family reasons, I got myself into coaching.
“I spent some time working in minor hockey, junior and professional and was an assistant coach and head coach for the East Coast Hockey League’s Brampton Beast.
“Most recently, I was the assistant coach of the Quebec Major Junior League side, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.”
The Toronto, Ontario native started making memories as soon as he arrived in Dundee and continued to do so, right up until he left but Brent has spoken about a few of his favourites.
He said: “The first memory is the day our team arrived in Dundee and we were part of the parade downtown.
“Getting to see the passion in that city was a great feeling and something you thought about before each game.
“When I look back there is a lot of great memories but the last game my dad came to Dundee, I scored a goal, so that will forever be my favourite memory in hockey.”
The now 38-year-old also told of how he became a Stars player back in 2010 but unlike some stories that depict months of meetings, references and negotiations, Brent had a much more streamlined experience.
He said: “Well just like any player it starts with a phone call from the coach and I was fortunate to get the call from Dan Ceman.
“We ended up meeting in downtown Toronto and we just got talking and the rest is history.”
Hughes was handed the reigns of the Stars team halfway through the 2011-2012 season, as Head Coach, Ceman departed and briefly discussing making the step up from player-assistant coach to player-coach, Brent said: “It wasn’t too hard.
“What really helped me that year was the National Hockey League was on lockout, so I didn’t have hockey to watch every night.”
Finally, the former Stars #9 had a message for all the Stars fans and staff back in Dundee and he said: “I am grateful to the Ward family for understanding and respecting my decision.
“The fans were great and I’m always checking the box scores because Dundee was one of my favourite cities to play in.
“Thank you to everyone, who made my time in Dundee so great.”
Next up in this week’s series of ‘Look Back’ articles on the 10th Dundee Stars season you can read the ‘Where Are They Now’ interview of another former Stars player from the 2010-2011 season and that will be available tomorrow at 12pm!
If you want to be a part of the historic 20th Dundee Stars season then you can buy your season tickets by contacting [email protected]
