NA Now: Kenai River Brown Bears
The NA Now video series features an in-depth look into all NAHL teams as they prepare for the 2025-26 season. One team will be highlighted every day, leading up to the start of the regular season on September 12, 2025. Each interview features each team’s head coach, as they dive into detail on the expectations and outlooks for this upcoming season.
Kenai River Brown Bears
Head Coach: Darren Banks (1st season)
2024-25 Regular Season Record: 21-30-4-4 – 50 points (7th in Midwest Division)
2024-25 Leading Scorer: Brady Engelkes (19-26–45)
2025-26 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Soldotna, Alaska
Formation Year: 2007 (19th season)
“You're going to have a first-class experience from your rink to the guys at the gym to the brand new facility that's going in next to our rink,” said Head Coach of the Brown Bears, Darren Banks. “You know, with all the training stuff they have in there, it's just you're going to get a really great experience.”
Darren Banks is heading into his first year as a head coach in the NAHL. Banks knows the family of leagues very well, because he has served as the New Mexico Ice Wolves 3HL General Manager and Head Coach for the past three seasons. With the knowledge and experience in a winning culture in New Mexico, he is hoping to take those lessons and apply them to the Brown Bears organization this season.
Next up: Lone Star Brahmas
