Pursuit is a sports feature series highlighting athletes, coaches, and staff and significant sporting events from North Bay and the surrounding area.
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When Matt Marquardt took on the role of assistant coach for the North Bay Battalion, it was more than just a job—it was a homecoming. A North Bay native, Marquardt replaces Scott Wray, who departed to become the head coach of the Owen Sound Attack in June. For Marquardt, the opportunity to return to his roots and contribute to his hometown team is a dream come true.
"It's a privilege for me, and I'm just really excited about it," says Marquardt. "It's been awesome, you know, it's a dream come true for myself, my family, just to find a way to get back home. And it's the first time I've been able to really mesh these two worlds, hockey and family, in the last 20 years. So just really excited for the opportunity to come here and be a part of the Battalion, and just get settled back into living in North Bay again."
Marquardt's transition from the ice to the bench has been seamless, thanks to his extensive background as both a player and coach. Before joining the Battalion, the 37-year-old spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he played a pivotal role in guiding the team to a WHL championship and a berth in the Memorial Cup tournament in 2023. His coaching career builds on a solid foundation of experience as a player, one that took him from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) to the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL, and even across the Atlantic to the British Elite Ice Hockey League.
Marquardt’s playing days in the QMJHL were marked by significant achievements. He spent four seasons in the league, three with the Moncton Wildcats and one with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Over 203 games, the big power forward tallied 100 goals and 64 assists, racking up 164 points and 203 penalty minutes. His on-ice presence and scoring ability caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the seventh round of the 2006 NHL Draft.
Though Marquardt didn't carve out a lengthy NHL career, he enjoyed a successful run in the AHL and ECHL, where his leadership and tenacity earned him respect across the leagues. One of the highlights of his career came in 2012 when he brought the ECHL's Kelly Cup championship trophy to North Bay after winning the league with the Florida Everblades. His professional journey also took him to the UK, where he played four seasons in the Elite Ice Hockey League, further broadening his international experience.
Reflecting on his career, Marquardt says, "It's been a pleasure to have this game take me from coast to coast, across North America, and around the globe. I've been in a lot of places as a player and a coach. My experiences in major junior hockey have always been something I've held close to my heart. I really loved junior hockey, and my path is very unique as well. So that's just something I feel I can impart and help these kids with. It's not always a straight line. Sometimes you have to deal with some adversity or whatever the case may be."
Now, as he steps into his role with the Battalion, Marquardt is eager to bring his wealth of experience to the young players in North Bay. He joins a coaching staff that includes Head Coach Ryan Oulahen and Assistant Coach Bill Houlder, forming a trio with a shared passion for the game and a commitment to developing the next generation of hockey talent.
"Being surrounded by people like that, like-minded and with a passion for hockey, we get to share all those experiences and work collaboratively on a lot of things and bring our little piece to the table," Marquardt says. "It's been awesome for me coming in from the outside, just the way they've welcomed me in and the way we've worked together as a staff to get things going. The camp was unbelievable; we have a lot of talent. You can see the standard they have set here, and the culture of this team is something I'm really excited to be a part of. I’ve been a part of some great organizations in the past, and I can see a lot of parallels."
One of the most challenging aspects of coaching, Marquardt admits, is making roster cuts during training camp. However, he views this process as a critical part of player development, helping young athletes understand the demands and expectations at the Major Junior level.
"We're trying to develop them into everyday Battalion players, and that takes time. It's a process within itself. It's not just about their evolution as hockey players; these are young people, and we need to give them those opportunities to go through this process for the first time. Some of them are used to being the best guys on their club team, but you come here, and it’s just another level. But again, that's the process of development—rising through the ranks and seeing how things operate at the Major Junior level."
Marquardt's connection to the players extends beyond his coaching duties. During his time in Moncton, he played under former NHL head coach Ted Nolan and alongside Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand. The experience of playing with Marchand, who has gone on to become a Stanley Cup champion and Olympic medalist, has left a lasting impression on Marquardt.
“He was awesome to play with,” Marquardt says without hesitation. “He's an easy guy to dislike at times for people on the outside, but not for me because I never had to play against him. Awesome teammate, really proud of his career. I got to play with him for five years in Junior, and we started our professional hockey careers together too. We grew up together as young men, and he’s done a great job to become a heart-and-soul, world-class player. He found his way as a young player. He's a good example for some of these guys because he came in and learned how to grind, learn how to check, learn how to be a pest, and learn how to toe the line. He found that happy medium between getting the other team off their game and playing with a lot of skill.”
With Marquardt now settled back in North Bay, the Battalion will undoubtedly benefit from his experience, passion, and commitment to developing young talent. As the season unfolds, the players will have the opportunity to learn from a coach who has been through the ranks and understands the challenges and rewards of the hockey journey.
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