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Brenden Kotyk's junior hockey career began with the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL back in the 2009-10 season, but his time in Humboldt didn't last long. After playing in 24 games that season, the Regina native played just eight games the following season before the was acquired by the Dauphin Kings. 

Kotyk scored 14 times and had 40 total points in his first 45 games with the Dauphin Kings, all of which came in the regular season. After what was a solid regular season for the team, they came within two wins of advancing to the league championship, but they dropped their semi-final series against the Portage Terriers in six games. During a 13 game playoff run, Brenden had another nine points, two were goals. 

The following season would see Brenden return to Dauphin for his final year of junior hockey in the 2011-12 season and when he did return, he was named the team's captain. In 64 games (including playoffs), Brenden had 65 points. His junior career may have not begun in Dauphin, but it did end in the City of Sunshine with an organization that Kotyk grew to love and excelled playing with.

"I loved my time in Dauphin, I think Marlin was one of the best coaches I have ever played for, he brought so much passion and fire to the game," said Kotyk. "I had great billets that were amazing and I couldn't have asked for more."

In his final season in Dauphin, Brenden was named to the league's first all-star team, he recorded the most points by a defenceman (62) and he was named the league's top defenceman. 

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Moving up:

After living his entire life in Canada, including two in Dauphin, Kotyk was presented with an opportunity to continue his hockey career, but he would have to move south of the border to do so. The College of St. Scholastica men's team reached out to Kotyk and offered him a spot on the team. Based in Duluth, Minnesota, the school is Division 3 and Brenden ultimately accepted the offer and he ended up recording 19 points in 25 games with the team in his only season with them.

Kotyk would then transfer to the University of Minnesota Duluth where he would join the Bulldogs Division 1 hockey team. Because of the transfer, he couldn't play any games in the 2013-14 season, he could only practice. 

130579127 1757956107699940 2079238710579143178 nAfter serving as a red-shirt athlete for his transfer year, Brenden wasn't sure what type of role he would step into when he was eligible to compete in games, but it ended up being a big role. He played 34 games prior to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's championships where the team fell short against Denver as they were swept in a best-of-three. Returning to Minnesota Duluth the following season, the team advanced to the conference championships in dramatic fashion.

Playing the top-ranked North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the conference semi-finals, Kotyk helped the Bulldogs double up North Dakota, 4-2. They fell in the finals against St. Cloud State, 3-1. Back with the Bulldogs in the 2016-17 season -- Kotyk's final of college hockey -- a special season was put together. The first special part was he was named an assistant captain and the second was how good the team was. 

They started the conference championships by getting past Miami in two straight games and that was followed up with a dominating 5-2 win against Western Michigan which earned the Bulldogs a berth in the final. Playing on national television, Minnesota Duluth held off North Dakota as they won a thriller of a conference final, 4-3.

The Bulldogs would advance to the Frozen Four where they won their first three games to advance to the national championship final against the top-ranked Denver Pioneers. Denver would end Minnesota Duluth's quest for a national gold medal as they won the finals, 3-2, as they clinched their eighth national title.

The loss was Brenden's final college game and despite coming up just short, winning a conference championship and getting the chance to play Division 1 hockey is something he will never forget.

"It was amazing, it was a dream come true," said Kotyk. "I had always thought I wanted to play in the WHL but I wasn't quite good enough. When I realized playing collegiately was something I could pursue, I did everything I could to succeed. Making it and contributing to the team was pretty special for my family and me."

Professional journey:

After three full years with the Bulldogs, Kotyk went to the New York Rangers development camp and he also took part in main camp. He ended up playing an exhibition game with Hartford of the American Hockey League before he was assigned to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL where he played in 51 games, recording 17 points. Brenden was called back up to Hartford where he scored one goal and had one assist in two games.

"That was pretty special scoring that goal with Hartford, they put it together with a plaque," said Kotyk. "It's those moments that you never really forget."

Brenden remained in the ECHL in the 2018-19 season, but he was now a part of the Toledo Walleye organization and his first year with the team was one where the Walleye were just two wins away from claiming a championship. Playing the Newfoundland Growlers in the league final, Toledo needed to win game six to keep the series alive. In the end, Newfoundland opened up a 4-1 lead and they held on to win the championship in six games. 

Kotyk spent one more season with Toledo last season and that was officially the end of his playing days as he retired after a playing career that included a conference championship with Minnesota Duluth and he was just two games away from winning an ECHL title with Toledo.

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Post playing days:

Brenden knew his days of trying to make it back to the AHL or make it to the NHL were closed, but he wasn't done with the game so he became a coach. While in his first year with Toledo, Brenden started putting together his coaching resume.

His resume has ended up being solid enough to land him an assistant coaching job with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL and he's also the Manager of the Hockey Operations. The Stingrays played one exhibition game last weekend against the team that Brenden started his professional hockey career with as they doubled up Greenville, 6-3. 

After a week of practice and preparation, the team kicks it off for real on Friday night when they welcome the Swamp Rabbits to their home rink as the 2020-21 season officially begins. 

"I love every second of being a coach. We're up early mornings and I'm still getting those locker room moments with the guys," offered Kotyk. "It's pretty special to be able to help these guys achieve their goals of advancing to the next level."

Kotyk says it's a privilege that the team is able to play meaningful games right now and he isn't taking anything for granted.

"It means everything. Everyone on our team has a great understanding of how lucky we are to be playing right now," ended Kotyk. 

As his coaching career begins in the ECHL with South Carolina, Kotyk's ultimate goal is to become a coach for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, the team he won a conference championship with.