EDMONTON, Alta. – Newly named NAIT Ooks men's hockey head coach Scott Fellnermayr has a unique first season ahead of him.

Back in July, Fellnermayr got his dream job of being named head coach of the program where he had played for four seasons and captained his team to a historic 36-0 undefeated season. Now not only does he face the challenge of his first season as a head coach, but also the challenge of dealing with the unknowns that COVID-19 will bring.

I am grateful to be given this opportunity. I'm thrilled that I can make a living doing what I love. The time I have spent at NAIT, both playing and coaching, have been the best years of my life. I admire and have learned so much from the past coaches that I've played for and worked with at NAIT, Serge Lajoie, Mike Gabinet, and Tim Fragle," said Fellnermayr.

I look forward to carrying on the great culture that they, and the coaches before them, built over the years. Tim [Fragle] has been a great mentor for me over the last three seasons, and I will do my best to continue to build the program in the right direction."

"Now, with COVID-19, it obviously brings some added challenges, but it is exciting to face new challenges that no one has seen before. I am confident that the staff and student-athletes will work together to overcome any challenges in a safe, effective manner."

In a typical season, a new head coach has the challenges of learning all of the processes within NAIT and the ACAC. With upwards of 25 student-athletes, Fellnermayr also has to recruit and work with each member of the team to plan out their educational pathways, workouts, and living accommodations, along with the season practice, travel and competition schedule.

"A lot more planning and communication is involved now. Tim [Fragle] and the rest of the NAIT Athletics' staff have helped transition me into the new role. I'm excited to continue learning and to get back on the ice with the team," said Fellnermayr.

In light of the current pandemic and the many unknowns that come with it, Fellnermayr faces added challenges that have never been seen before. Added regulations to ensure the health of student-athletes, staff, and public health, means that the rookie bench boss has to adapt to the processes he knew from his time both as the assistant coach and when he was a student-athlete himself.

"The facilities staff at NAIT are doing a great job preparing for our varsity teams to return to training. All of us coaches have been in constant communication with the facilities staff to ensure that our student-athletes will be able to practice and train properly to prepare for the season while abiding by the Alberta regulations related to COVID safety protocols," added Fellnermayr.

"Anyone that comes to NAIT campus will have to fill out a self-assessment form to ensure that they aren't experiencing any symptoms of COVID. Students and staff will need to be prepared to adapt quickly to any changes as provincial, Hockey Canada and NAIT guidelines may change as we go. When students are not on campus, they are expected to social distance from anyone that isn't in their cohort groups."

With all of these changes comes a lot of questions. Fellnermayr has a whole team of student-athletes (many being first-years) not only asking questions about training and what the season may look like but also about the new online academic model.

"Students will be challenged to learn the new routine of having all classes online. Everyone has a different learning style, so I think this is a unique opportunity for students and instructors to learn and teach in a way that they aren't accustomed to."

All of the new COVID-19 related regulations come as a part of the return-to-play plan developed by NAIT leadership, staff, coaches, and administration. Rules include physical distancing, proper sanitization of equipment and facilities, limitations to group sizes while training, students safely coming to campus, and maintaining safe habits outside of NAIT. On top of that, practice times are changing this year. All of the students are enrolled in online classes, which means they are not on campus, which is another hurdle to overcome. No longer are student-athletes able to come into the office to have academic or athletic meetings with coaches during their breaks in classes.

"As far as the hockey goes, our team is preparing with the mindset that there will be a season starting in January 2021. I am confident and will respect that whatever decisions the ACAC make will be in the best interest of the student-athletes' safety. I am excited to get back into competition; however, some things are more important than hockey," said Fellnermayr.

"I am happy with the way things are going, and I am confident that NAIT's staff and student-athletes will be safe through the process of training for and preparing to start the new season and academic year."