Queen's Men's Hockey Head Coach Brett Gibson is retiring after 20 years behind the bench with the program.
 
Gibson announced his retirement from the Queen's program shortly after the 2025-26 season as the winningest coach in Queen's Men's Hockey program history.
 
"It's time. For the past two decades I have had the privilege to lead the Men's Hockey team at Queen's University and what an amazing experience it has been," Gibson said. "I was given an opportunity to be a Head Coach at a very early age and more importantly, the trust to make mistakes."
 
Gibson will continue to work closely with the team through the transition, and as an advisor and mentor.
 
"I look forward to working with Queen's Athletics as we move forward to a new era of Men's hockey here at Queen's."
 
Gibson coached in his 500^th game with the Gaels this past season, a milestone he was recognized for during the 38th Carr-Harris Cup and retires with an overall record of 281-183-48. Gibson also led Queen's to their second straight OUA bronze medal and U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championship appearance in 2025-26.
 
Gibson's playoff record includes 32 wins, surpassing 300 combined wins with the Gaels.
 
"I have always told my players when they graduate, make sure you leave the program in a better place than when you got here. I know deep down as I step away from the Head Coach of Queen's Men's Hockey; I have done that."
 
"Ang, Bailey and Cole, I know I have missed a lot of events while coaching. Your support and love mean more than you will ever know."
 
Gibson is still actively involved in the hockey community.

"I am not retiring from coaching; I still have a lot more in me. It's just time for a reset and a new voice to lead the program. It was never about the wins and losses it was always about making the program better and together we did that."
 
"I'd like to congratulate Brett on an incredible career behind the bench of the Queen's Men's Hockey program," said Linda Melnick, Executive Director, Queen's Athletics & Recreation. "His success in the role is unmatched, and he oversaw an era defined by outstanding achievements both on and off the ice, highlighted by a Queen's Cup championship in 2019, as well as back-to-back bronze medals and national championship appearances over the past two seasons.

"Brett's commitment to fostering an environment where student-athletes can truly excel has been evident throughout his career. He understood what it takes to build sustainable success and helped countless Queen's men's hockey players reach their full potential."
 
One year ago, Gibson and Queen's Men's Hockey finished the regular season with a 22-6-0-0 record, setting a program record for regular season wins.
 
Gibson led Queen's to a Queen's Cup Championship in 2018-19, and has twice been named the OUA East Division Coach of the Year (2013-14, 2007-08) and once the Father George Kehoe Memorial Award recipient as U SPORTS Men's Hockey Coach of the Year (2013-14).

Gibson coached more than 40 OUA All-Stars and 25 OUA major award winners, 10 U SPORTS All-Canadians and three U SPORTS major award winners, and more than 175 Academic All-Canadians.
 
With the Gaels, Gibson was named to Team Canada's coaching staff for the FISU Winter Universiade four times, winning gold twice, most recently alongside student-athletes Jack Duff and Nolan Hutcheson, and equipment manager Jamie Nicholl-Carne, in January 2024.
 
In 2023, Gibson was named head coach of the 2023 U SPORTS Men's Hockey All-Stars that competed at Canada's Junior Team Selection camp, splitting their two-game series. Gibson tied the Gaels' franchise record with 19 wins in 2023-24, also set in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 season.
 
In the spring of 2019, Gibson was named the head coach of the Canada National Men's Under-18 Team for the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship in Sweden and led Canada to a fourth place finish at the tournament. Gibson helped Queen's capture their first Queen's Cup championship since 1981 in the 2018-19 season as well.
 
Prior to joining the Gaels as an assistant coach in 2005-06, Gibson enjoyed an excellent four year career at St. Mary's University in Halifax, N.S. As a member of the Huskies, Gibson scored 42 goals and 56 assists in 88 career games. Also, a distinguished junior player, Gibson played four seasons in the OHL for Erie, North Bay and London, tallying 119 goals and 143 assists in 252 games.