The Austin’s Bruins’ season came to an end when the team lost 4-0 to the Minnesota Wilderness in game two of the Robertson Cup Finals Saturday, but it also may have been the end of an era.

Despite taking second place in the NAHL the last two seasons and racking up three straight NAHL Central Division regular season titles, Austin head coach Chris Tok and assistant coach Jamie Huffman were facing rumors about their job security just before the playoffs began.

In April, Andy Johnson, a USHL scout for the Waterloo Black Hawks and NAHL scout for the Coulee Region Chill, tweeted “Very disappointing news… I’m told Austin Bruins [NAHL] will not bring back head coach Chris Tok or assistant Jamie Huffman next season.”

Though Bruin’s ownership said the claims were untrue and no decisions have been made, the rumor has persisted and many acted as though Saturday was Tok’s last game with the team.

After Saturday’s game, Tok said he’s still not certain about his future.

“I have no idea, that’s up to the owners,” Tok said when asked where he will be next season.

No matter what the future holds for Tok and Huffman, the one thing that is certain is the impact they’ve had on their players, the franchise and community in the last five years. The Bruins have gone from a start-up franchise that didn’t make the playoffs to a perennial power in the NAHL that has sent numerous players to Division I college programs and one player to the Minnesota Wild.

It was clear how much those former players cared about Tok and Huffman as at least 18 of them were at Riverside Saturday night, many of them wearing shirts that showed their support for their former coaches.

Christian Folin went from two years with the Bruins to being a member of the Wild, tallying 10 points in 40 games this past season. He has always credited Tok with helping him make it to the next level and he continued that tone on Saturday.

“I loved playing for him,” Folin said. “Some of the best years of my life were here playing for him and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for [Tok]. He really helped me turn my game around and he’s a great coach. He’s done a terrific job for the whole organization.”

Players were equally supportive of Huffman. Jay Dickman, who is the Bruins’ all-time leading scorer and is now playing hockey at Bemidji State University, said that when he didn’t make it in the USHL, the Bruins were his first choice because he had met Huffman when he was playing in high school. Dickman said the coaching staff went the extra mile to get him and others onto the next level.

“Everything [Tok’s] done for me and my family and getting me into school. Everything he’s done has been amazing,” Dickman said. “[Tok and Huffman] have done everything for me and they will do anything for me. They’ll do anything for a player to move on.”

Dickman said he remembered working after practice with the Bruins coaches on his shooting and skating. When he found out the Bruins would be hosting the Robertson Cup, he knew immediately that he was going to come and watch them play.

Dickman said he can’t fathom why Tok and Huffman wouldn’t be part of the Bruins’ future.

“I don’t know what to say. You take the most winning coach and probably the best scout in the North American Hockey League and [if] you let them go I don’t know what’s going to happen to this program,” Dickman said. “Wherever [Tok and Huffman] go, they’ll be successful. I’ll always be in their corner and I know they’ll always be in my corner.”

Jonny Gehrt and Connor Quinn, who were both part of the first ever Bruins team back in 2010 said that a lot of Tok’s messages have become bigger as they’ve gone on in life and played college hockey. Gehrt is playing hockey at Hamline University and Quinn is playing at St. Olaf.

Even though the former Bruins who came to Riverside Saturday didn’t know very many of the players on this year’s Bruins team, Gehrt said all it took to get the former Bruins to re-unite in support of their former coaches was a quick text message and about 15 minutes of planning. Gehrt said Tok has done a lot for him and others.

“Besides my dad, he’s probably the most influential person I’ve had in my life, on and off the ice,” Gehrt said. “We all know first hand what coach Tok has done for our own individual lives and the bond he created with us during our time here.”

Quinn said that losing Tok and Huffman would likely be a blow to the Bruins.

“I don’t think the organization or the town is going to realize what they had until it’s gone,” he said. “Chris Tok has been instrumental in this community and for the players personally. I think not only does he make better hockey players, he makes them better men.”

Tok has compiled a record of 203-138 in his five years with the Bruins. Austin has made the playoffs in four of those years and has played in two Robertson Cup finals.

Tok definitely took note of all of the former players who were on hand in Riverside this past weekend.

“When you stand on the bench and you look down and see someone who used to play for you, you get a little chill in your spine and it’s great to get the support back from them,” Tok said. “I know our players love it and even last year they were saying let’s win this for the alumni. There’s a big bond between the guys who used to wear the jersey and the guys who wear it now. I think they’re proud to call themselves Bruins and they’re always going to Bruins.”

History of success

The Austin’s Bruins’ records over the past five years.
2014-15 season:
38-11-11; playoffs: 8-5
2013-14 season:
40-19-1; playoffs: 8-6
2012-13 season:
42-11-7; playoffs: 4-4
2011-12 season:
36-18-6; playoffs: 4-4
2010-11 season:
23-31-4