A native of Vail, Colorado, Golden brings an extensive hockey background to Grand Junction that spans NCAA hockey, junior hockey, professional hockey overseas and player development.
Most recently, Golden served as an Assistant Coach at Vermont State University Castleton (NCAA Division III), joining the Spartans staff in 2024. Before moving to the college ranks, he spent four seasons coaching in the NA3HL and three seasons scouting in the NAHL.
Golden’s junior coaching résumé includes serving as Associate Coach with the Great Falls Americans, where the club advanced to the 2021 Frontier Division playoff final, followed by head coaching and general manager positions with the Butte Cobras and Austin Ice Bats. In his first season leading Butte, Golden helped guide the Cobras to the Frontier Division playoffs while producing the second-highest regular-season win total in franchise history at the time.
He also brings valuable familiarity with the North American Hockey League, having previously worked as a regional scout for both the Maine Nordiques and Corpus Christi IceRays.
Before entering the junior ranks, Golden was heavily involved in hockey development in his home state of Colorado. His experience included coaching Aspen High School, serving as Head of Player Development for Aspen Junior Hockey, and leading the Aspen Leafs 19U program to consecutive Colorado state championships. His teams went a combined 51-0-1during those championship seasons.
Golden’s playing career was equally well traveled. He attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s, skating within a program loaded with future NHL talent, before playing junior hockey in the NAHL for the Lone Star Cavalry, Cleveland Junior Barons and Santa Fe RoadRunners.
He went on to play four seasons at Hobart College, helping the Statesmen reach the NCAA Division III National Tournament three times. Golden appeared in 46 collegiate games before beginning a professional career that took him around the world.
His professional stops included Germany, France, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and China, giving Golden a uniquely broad perspective on player development and different styles of hockey around the world.
Golden now returns to his home state of Colorado to join the River Hawks as the organization begins its first season in the NAHL.
Welcome to Grand Junction, Kirk! 🦅
