Omaha, NE | The Omaha Junior Lancers junior varsity hockey team has found their new head coach as director of operations Michael Hughes hired Derek Kinder.

Kinder has had some different coaching opportunities throughout his career and will bring many years of experience to his role as head coach for the Junior Lancers.

"I think, for us, what we really wanted was somebody that had some experience," Hughes said. "We had some good candidates... [we wanted] someone who could teach the game and relate to the players. That was really important for us."

Kinder hails from Fergus Falls, MN where he played youth hockey for 16 years and played for the Fergus Falls Hockey Association and the Otters high school program. After his high school playing career Derek played junior hockey for a season.  After his junior season he returned back to Fergus Falls to coach in the association spending multiple years with the peewee squad and a few seasons with the bantam division.

"I'm super excited [about the future]," Kinder said, “I understand that I have big shoes to fill with the junior varsity team coming off of 3 straight regular season titles and a decisive tournament title.  I look forward to the challenge that is presented along with the opportunity to work with the varsity team under Coach Nick Harrahill.”

Derek moved to Omaha to be closer to his now wife Kaitlin who is a nurse at Methodist Hospital.  Kinder owns his own State Farm agency in Council Bluffs.  Derek enjoys spending time with his wife, family and friends in his off time.  Some hobbies include golfing, hunting and the obvious hockey.

Current Fergus Falls Otters head coach Mike Donaghue mentioned this about Kinder, “Derek is a great addition to your hockey program.  He has always been an extremely hard worker and dedicated to self-improvement.  He was a great captain for our high school team and continued with his leadership within our association as he also coached our pee wee and bantam groups for a couple of years.  He has a great way of connecting with kids and always gets the most out of them. “

Welcome coach Kinder to the Omaha Junior Lancers as head coach of the junior varsity squad.