Chad Facey joined the Yellowhead U18 Chiefs as an assistant coach in the 2011-12 season.
The team won only 13 games and lost in the first round of the playoffs. Facey returned to the Chiefs the following season. This time, he was the organization's head coach and immediately turned things around. Facey led the team to a 29-win regular season, finishing third in the highly competitive Western Division.
While the team did not make a lengthy playoff run, it was a season that turned things around for the program. Facey was back with the team the following year, and again, they made the playoffs. Coming up short of a playoff spot in the 2014-15 season, Facey remained with the Chiefs program for the 2015-16 season, however, he joined the U15 team as their head coach.
Chad led the U15 club to a 19-win season in his first year with them during the 2015-16 campaign, and the following year was one to remember. The Chiefs won 29 of their 35 games and claimed the West Division title by 11 points. After two outstanding years with the U15 team, Chad was called upon again to become the head coach for the U18 team.
He continued to put together great systems and got the best out of his players. They won 26 games in the 2017-18 season, 37 in the 2018-19 season, and another 32 in the 2019-20 season. They qualified for the playoffs in all three years, and during their 37-win campaign, they made the semifinals. In his final year with the U18 team during the 2019-20 campaign, the Chiefs extended their playoff streak to four straight years. They won 32 games and finished in fifth.
Pleased with his accomplishments at the AAA level, Chad wanted to advance to the next level. He was an assistant coach with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) during the 2016-17 season, and he wanted to get back to the junior level. The timing turned out to be perfect.
In time for the 2020-21 season, Doug Hedley, the Dauphin Kings head coach and general manager, was looking to add an assistant coach with experience and passion. Facey was available, and the rest is history. Chad was excited to get started with the Kings, but his first season with the organization quickly ended as the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season after just six games.
Fast forward to the 2021-22 season. The Kings went 41-12-1 and won the West Division by 14 points. They beat Swan Valley in six games in round one, dispatched Winkler in five games in round two, then played the Steinbach Pistons in the league final. On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, the Turnbull Cup returned to Dauphin.
Brayden Dube scored the game winner 11:33 into the third period as the Kings won the MJHL championship in seven games. For Facey, that was a moment he will never forget.
"There's no better feeling than winning. That was a very special group," said Facey. "So many great players came to the rink to get better. There were ups and downs, as is the case with every team. That group made it very fun to come to the rink. It was such a special year."
Dauphin then advanced to the national semifinal at the Centennial Cup. Chad spent three more seasons as an assistant coach with the Kings. On Thursday, May 1, 2025, he left the home bench at Credit Union Place with the Kings for the final time. At least for now. When the Kings lost in triple overtime in game seven against the Northern Manitoba Blizzard in the league final, Chad's time with the Kings had ended
An emotional night it was, but Facey is forever grateful for the opportunity.
"It was a great experience. Getting the experience to work with Doug Hedley, I learned so much over the past four and a half years. It was a pleasure to work with him," continued Facey. "It was an unbelievable experience and one I will forever cherish."
In his role, Facey had the chance to develop dozens of players over the years. Working with the team's defensive group, he thanked the players for their efforts over the years.
"I always enjoyed getting to know the guys throughout the year. They all come from different paths and storylines," added Facey. "It's remarkable to see how much they develop over the time you spend with them. Every player has been a pleasure to work with."
(Pederson Photographic)
While this year came to a heartbreaking end, it was still a year to remember for the Kings. They won the West Division pennant by six points and advanced to the league final for the second time in four years. They trailed three games to one and were on the brink of elimination after four games in the league final.
They shut out the Blizzard on home ice in game five and came from behind to pull off an improbable victory in game six.
"It was an unreal year, the players we had this year were a blast, they were fun to work with, and they worked so hard," continued Facey. "Unfortunately, we came up just short of achieving our goal. It's a group that I will remember for a long time in a positive way."
Chad takes great pride in developing talent, and next year, he'll be doing so with some outstanding young talent from around the region. He's accepted a position to become the head coach for the Parkland U15 Rangers. Chad did incredible things with both the U15 and U18 Yellowhead Chiefs, so it's safe to say that the U15 team in the Parkland is in good hands.
"It is a bit bittersweet leaving the Kings. With that said, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with the young guys and do a lot of teaching," commented Facey. "It's time to reestablish what I believe this region could become."
Facey’s all-in attitude and deep love for the game have fueled every step of his journey, and now, he believes that passion and battle-tested experience have him primed for this next big move.
"This was an opportunity that presented itself, I believe, will be very enjoyable," ended Facey. "It's going to bring back a lot of passion, and it's always fun to see how much these young kids develop."
The chapter with the Kings may be closed, but for Chad Facey, the mission continues—shaping the future, one rising star at a time.
