Alex Bonaparte, a former captain with the Cape Breton West U18 Major Islanders, has been named head coach of the Cabot U16 AAA Highlanders for the 2026-27 season.
-by Bill Dunphy
A former captain of the Cape Breton West U18 Major Islanders is the new bench boss of the Cabot U16 AAA Highlanders.
Alex Bonaparte, who played all three years of his U18 Major eligibility with the Islanders, takes over the Cabot reins from highly successful coach Craig MacInnis.
The team was provincial champions last season and were the Nova Scotia U16 AAA Hockey League champions this year.
Knowing those are big shoes to fill, Bonaparte, who hails from MacKinnon’s Harbour in Victoria County and now lives in Antigonish, said he was encouraged to take the job by MacInnis.
“I have always loved coaching, high school at Dalbrae and an assistant coach to Craig with Cabot. When he told me he wasn’t coming back next season, he asked me would I consider taking it over. If there was ever a time to take on a head coaching job, now would be it,” he said.
Along with his tenure with Cape Breton West, Bonaparte went on to play four seasons in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, including three with the Pictou County Crushers where he was an assistant captain.
He also saw action with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League.
Bonaparte said his coaching philosophy was influenced by working with MacInnis.
“I learned so much from Craig, but the biggest thing was to be a good person and have good habits, be it with the team, the organization, or the community. He was always on time, little habits like that. And I share the same philosophy that way. It’s why I became a teacher…teaching kids how to interact with each other, to be a team.”
As for the Xs and Os of hockey systems, Bonaparte said he has his own ideas, which will depend on the makeup of the team.
“In the U16 AAA league, you can only keep four skaters and a goaltender (from the previous year), so the team changes year to year. So things like the forecheck and team defence is based on the players that you have. But regardless of that, the main thing is for everybody to be accountable. We’re here to develop players to get them to the next level,” he said.
Bonaparte laced the skates up as a player last season, after a five-year layoff, to play in the new Nova Scotia Senior A Hockey League with the Antigonish Bulldogs.
He said it reminded him of some things that were important to remember, as a player and as a coach.
“Along with getting better as a player, you have to have fun, and playing Senior hockey was fun,” he said.
“Also, you remember how fast the game is. You tell a player to do something, but it’s easier said than done. You hop on the ice with guys who are fast and big – it’s hard sometimes to make those decisions.”
Bonaparte thanked the organization for giving him the opportunity and to all those who have helped him along the way.
“Thank you everyone for the support and kind words. I’m excited to get started in this new role and for the opportunity to continue building with this great group. Looking forward to getting to work on season nine!”