The Rocky Rams have announced former player Braden Bystrom as the team’s new head coach for the 2026-27 season.

Bystrom recently completed his 10th season behind the bench, bringing a decade of coaching and player development experience to the West Central U18 Tigers program.

Now taking over as head coach of the Rams, team officials say they are confident Bystrom will continue building a strong, competitive program focused on skill development, teamwork and character.

Alongside his coaching career, Bystrom has experience in several other areas of the game. He spent two seasons at the AAA level with the Calgary Northstars and Red Deer Northstar Chiefs, serving as both an assistant coach and head coach.

Bystrom has also been actively involved with Hockey Alberta over the past six years. His contributions include coaching roles at the Prospects Cup and Alberta Cup, where he has helped identify and develop some of the province’s top young talent.

Through that work, he has coached elite-level athletes and contributed to the development of players who have gone on to junior and collegiate hockey.

Team officials say Bystrom’s approach emphasizes the skill side of the game, using drills that mirror real game situations to help players translate practice habits into performance.

He also focuses on expanding players’ hockey IQ, encouraging them to think creatively and make smarter decisions on the ice.

Bystrom’s short- and long-term goals include helping young athletes reach their full potential and advance their playing careers at the highest levels possible.

Bystrom previously played for the Rams during the 2019-20 season, recording 10 goals and nine assists in 25 games.