Follow the Coach… By John Harrington

Born in 2009 and raised in Simi Valley, Brandon Shumacher didn’t just find hockey… he found a calling. At age four, he was already gliding across the ice at Iceoplex, drawn to the rhythm and freedom of skating before he even understood the game. His dad, a former player, introduced him to the sport, but the passion was his own.

His journey began with the Ventura Mariners under Coach "Campbell’s dad," he recalls with a smile. From Squirt B to the Flyers and eventually the Bears, each team shaped his growth. Even a stint with the North Stars still flickers in his memory.

Hockey wasn’t just the only sport he played -- it was the only one he loved. There was no single defining moment, just a growing fire fueled by camaraderie, competition, and the thrill of scoring goals.

His biggest inspiration? Not a pro athlete or coach -- but his mom. Her unwavering support and quiet strength shaped his mindset and resilience.

Brandon’s resilience was forged in fire—and tested in one of his toughest moments.

Every hockey player hits a wall -- sometimes literally. For Brandon, that wall came in the form of a winger’s nightmare: trapped in the defensive zone, puck pinned to the boards, pressure mounting, and a coach who knew he was capable of more.

“I wasn’t able to get the puck out of the zone,” Brandon recalls. “It was my first or second year moving up from defense to forward. It was hard to adjust.”

The transition from defense to forward is no small leap. Defense is structure, reaction, containment. Forward is creativity, initiative, and risk. And in that moment, the adjustment wasn’t clicking. “Coach Torsson went off in the locker room,” he says. “He was mad because he knows I’m better than that.” Instead of folding, Brandon absorbed the criticism and transformed it.

“I used everything Coach said to make me mad -- in a good way. I went out the next day and proved him wrong.”
Coach saw it. He acknowledged it. “That’s the guy I know,” he told him. And just like that, adversity became ignition.

The Bears program gave Brandon more than ice time -- it gave him memories that stretch across continents. His favorite? A trip to Sweden at age 13. The hockey was different -- more open, more fluid -- but the hits still came hard. He remembers his teammate Badger, the lone enforcer, throwing his body around with fearless intensity. He also remembers how Sweden embraced the California boys from the land of sand and sun.

Back home, the Bears locker room pulses with energy. Pre-game rituals include dry land warmups, dynamic stretches, and a game of “Sewer” -- a soccer-style keep-up circle that sparks laughter and focus. And yes, he has his own rituals. His phone must be charged to 100% before every game. His stick tape can’t touch the floor. It’s more than superstition -- it’s a signal that he’s mentally and physically ready to give everything.

In youth sports, players often face a pivotal decision: stay with the team they've grown with or follow the tide of friends and trends to new programs. For some, the allure of a different jersey, a more decorated team, or the promise of a championship can be tempting. But for others, the decision is rooted in something deeper -- trust in the coach.

Staying with the right coach isn't just about loyalty; it's about development, belief, and long-term growth. A great coach doesn't just run drills or call plays -- they shape character, instill discipline, and create an environment where players can thrive. Over five years, while teammates came and went, Brandon remained. Not because it was easy, but because he believed in the process.

He watched others leave, heard the chatter about greener pastures, and still chose to stay. Why? Because Torsson was the best coach he'd ever had. Because the off-ice training with Lektorp, the energy from Coach Stewie, and the support from JT Halliday, the Bears created a program that prioritized development over short-term wins. When other opportunities arose to join other teams, Brandon stayed. Not out of fear, but out of conviction. He knew that the work ethic, the culture, and the coaching where he was would serve him better in the long run.

Parents often ask what matters most in youth sports. Is it the wins? The exposure? The friends? But the real answer might be simpler: follow the coach. If a player connects with a coach -- feels seen, challenged, and inspired -- that's the path to follow. Not the rink with the best “snack” bar or the team with the extra letters, the flashiest gear or record. It's the coach who builds players, not just teams.

In a world where switching teams is common, staying can be the boldest move. And for those who choose to stay with the right coach, the rewards go far beyond the scoreboard.

For Brandon, the future isn’t mapped out in ink -- it’s sketched in effort, grit, and trust. As he enters his fifth season with the Bears, he’s not chasing hype. He’s chasing growth.

While others talk prep schools or junior teams, he’s focused on the now. But the dream is alive. That means college. That means D1. And for him, that means Notre Dame.

In five years, he sees himself in a college locker room, suiting up, and chasing the next level. Not because someone told him to -- but because he wants it.

He’s not just a dreamer -- he’s a doer. Balancing high school and hockey is no small feat, especially for a road warrior like him. He’s not homeschooled. He’s in the trenches, juggling classes, practices, workouts, and travel.
That discipline makes him a cornerstone of the Bears program. He’s not just skating toward a future. He’s building it, one shift at a time.

“I learned that school should always come first,” he says. “Because if hockey doesn’t work out, you’ve got to have good grades and a good education to get a good job.” It’s a mindset that’s rare in youth sports, where tunnel vision toward the NHL can eclipse everything else. But Brandon has found a rhythm -- built on communication, discipline, and grit.

“When I was triple-A and traveling a lot, I’d email my teachers ahead of time,” he explains. “Ask what I was going to miss, get the work early. Then I’d use free time -- like after games at the hotel, to get my homework done.” Even after late-night practices, when exhaustion sets in, he still finds time to study. “Even though I’m super tired and just want to go to bed, I know I’ve got to study. That’s probably the most important thing.”

That joy -- playing for the love of the game -- is what keeps him grounded. Whether it’s Bears, Poseidon High School league, or lacrosse, he’s in shape, in rhythm, and in good spirits. “Yeah, I’m having a good time,” he says. “It works.”

When asked what advice he’d give to younger players, his answer is simple and powerful:
“Focus on school. Make sure your grades are up. Make sure you have a good education.” It’s the kind of wisdom that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet -- but it’s what builds champions off the ice. It wasn’t the only challenge. An injury sidelined him temporarily, but not mentally. “I couldn’t get on the ice, but I still showed up to dry land,” he says. “Did alternates for stuff I couldn’t do. I couldn’t let that get to my head. I had to keep going so that when I healed, I’d be ready -- and maybe even better.”

That mindset -- resilient, relentless -- is what’s kept him healthy and consistent. No major injuries. No missed seasons. Just steady growth. “There’s an old saying,” I tell him. “You can be the greatest player in the world, but if you’re not available, it doesn’t matter.”

He nods. He’s seen it. Great players sidelined by injury. But he’s stayed strong -- physically and mentally. And when asked about his most impactful coaches from the past, he doesn’t flinch. Jason Slinger, the legendary skating coach, is the secret sauce behind Brandon’s smooth stride. Even after a serious car accident, Slinger kept coaching from the bench. And Brandon kept learning. “If I had more time, I’d still be taking lessons with Slinger,” he says. “He’s a great guy.”

If hockey didn’t exist? “Lacrosse,” he says. “I play for Simi. All my friends are on the team. It’s fun. I get to beat people up with a stick,” he laughs.

And when asked about his favorite player?
“Austin Matthews,” he says without hesitation.
From adversity to ambition to loyalty, from locker room lectures to breakout performances, Brandon is building a legacy one shift at a time. And whether it’s hockey, lacrosse, or academics, he’s always ready to go -- charged at 100%.