Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations- Damon Hanson
Damon is entering his 4th season behind the Helena bench as the Bighorns Head Coach. Damon grew up in Seattle Washington playing his youth hockey for the Washington Evergreens. He was a WHL draft pick of the Canadian Hockey Leagues Medicine Hat Tigers.
Damon decided to start his 5-year Junior hockey playing career with the Helena Bighorns where he spent three successful seasons. In those three seasons, Damon had a big impact in which the Bighorns won three league titles and made three national appearances. Damon finished his junior career playing two seasons with the Missoula Maulers. As he moved on from playing to coaching, it was only fitting that he began his coaching career where he started playing Junior Hockey, Helena Montana. Damon spent his first two and a half years as an assistant coach and took over the reins as Head Coach in December 2020.
Damon and his fiancé Casarah reside in Helena year-round with their two sons, Jaylen and James.
Email: dhanson@helenabighorns.com
Associate Head Coach- Alex North
Goalie Coach- Brandon Vonada
Brandon grew up in Helena and started playing hockey soon after the Helena Ice Arena opened in 1994. From the beginning Brandon always wanted to be a goalie and after trying all the positions he settled in as a goalie and has never regretted that decision.
Brandon has been coaching for over 15 years at all levels including at the Junior A level. This will be Brandon’s 7th season as the Goalie Coach for the Bighorns and he brings an unmatched passion for coaching goaltenders and is a big part of our team. Our goalies are fortunate to have a dedicated goalie coach and especially one that loves being at the rink every day and a coach that works extremely hard to make them better. Whether its video, one on one instruction or just that person to talk with, Brandon is always there for the players.
Brandon, his wife Trista and their two children, Lowek and Liviana reside in Helena year-round.