Coaching & Scouting Staff

Scott Cunningham: Head Coach

Scott Cunningham rejoins the Bighorns for his 9th season behind the bench. He joined the team in December, 2004 and led the Bighorns (see Cutthroats) to the NORPAC Title in their first season in the league.

A native of Ft. Saskatchewan, Alberta, Cunningham played for the St. Albert Saints (AJHL). The graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology has had coaching assignments in Liberty Lake Lumberjacks (NPHL), the Helena Ice Pirates (AFHL) and with the Great Falls Americans (AWHL) before guiding the Bighorns (nee Cutthroats). Cunningham is a no nonsense coach who brings a great deal of experience and success to our program. He instills the values we expect from our players and will be a great attribute to the Bighorns. Cunningham and his wife have resided in Helena since 2000.

Cunningham’s coaching career has been marked with success, as he guided his teams at the junior level deep into the playoffs in each season. As important as those statistics are, Cunningham cites the promotion of his players to the college and pro ranks as equally important factors. “There is nothing more gratifying to seeing a players face when he has achieved his goal of playing college hockey,” Cunningham said from his home in Helena, MT. “I am looking forward to coaching this season as the difficult challenge of defending the league championship gives both the team and I something to strive for every night. My goals are simple. I want to prepare these players for the jump to the higher ranks of junior hockey and college.”

Scott Cunningham’s Coaching Record:

• 2011-2012  Lewis & Clark Cup Champions (AWHL)
• 2011           USA Hockey Tier III Junior A National Champions
• 2010-2011 Cascade Cup Champions   (NORPAC)
• 2009-2010 Cascade Cup Champions   (NORPAC)
• 2008-2009 Cascade Cup Champions   (NOR-PAC)
• 2007-2008 Cascade Cup Champions   (NOR-PAC)
• 2006-2007 AWHL Division Champions (NOR-PAC)
• 2005-2006 Cascade Cup Champions   (NOR-PAC)
• 2004-2005 Cascade Cup Champions   (NOR-PAC)
• 2001-2002 Great Falls Americans, League Semi Finals  (AWHL)
• 2000-2001 Liberty Lake Lumberjacks, Cascade Cup Finals  (NOR-PAC)
• 1999-2000 Great Falls Americans, Borne Cup Finals  (AWHL)
• 1998-1999 Helena Ice Pirates, Borne Cup Finals  (AWHL)
• 1997-1998 Helena Ice Pirates, Semi Finals  (AWHL)
• 1996-1997 Helena Ice Pirates, Semi Finals  (AFHL)
• 1995-1996 Helena Ice Pirates, Borne Cup Finals  (AFHL)

Josh Reis: Director of Player Personnel

Josh Reis heads up the player personnel department for the Bighorns and works with the Scouting Department.

Reis has had a long tradition of coaching in the Seattle area. Prior to joining the Bighorns in 2009-2010, Reis spent two prior years with the Seattle Totems (NORPAC) where he was an assistant coach and assisted in team administration. Reis also served as head coach of the Puget Sound Tomahawks during the 2007-2008 season.

"Josh brings a wealth of talent and enthusiasm to the Big Blue," avows Bighorn President, Mike Butters. "He has a solid knowledge of the game, the league and, most importantly, the players in the Pacific Northwestern region. He is a big asset to our club and we look forward to a long relationship with him."

Dave Bankoske: Scouting Representative

Dave Bankoske has been a scouting representitive to the Bighorns since 2007. "Binger" played his college hockey at the University of Notre Dame before playing pro hockey in the ECHL and Europe.

Dave has been responsible for several Bighorn player selections and his keen eye for talent has been a great asset to the Big Blue for years.

Bankoske resides in the Buffalo, NY area and regularily attends showcases and games on the east coast looking for future Bighorns.