Coach Bobby Freeland
Coach Bobby Freeland pasted away unexpectedly in June of 2006, leaving his wife Sharon, their two sons, family members, and close friends.
Each year a 'Coach Bobby' skate is held in his honor and to benefit his family. Contributions are put toward Jake and Ryan's college fund, or general expenses ... you decide.
Coach Bobby was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and moved to Oregon in 1976. Bobby played competitive hockey for the Portland Amateur Hockey Association as well as two seasons at Saint Johns University (Div III) where he graduated after his second year of hockey eligibility.
From 1987-2002 Coach Bobby was a competitive coach for the Portland Junior Hawks, and has been the hockey director at Valley Ice Arena since 2000. Coach Bobby has been a USA Hockey Pacific District Player Evaluator since 1995 and has been a coach at five USA Hockey Festivals including several girls events.
Bobby has been an Oregon State Hockey Association Board member since 1996 including four years as Vice President. He was the General Manager of the Portland Pioneers from 2000-2005. Two of those years he was also an assistant coach including the 2004 season when the Pioneers won the Cascade Cup Championship.
For the 2005-2006 season Bobby was the coach of the Jr. B Eugene Generals. In their inaugural season, the Generals far exceeded expectations of an expansion team. Bobby had a great deal of influence on that success.
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