The summer months will be a time of rebuilding for the Cold Lake Jr.B Ice after another sudden upset in the staffing of the team.
Head coach and GM Paul Desjardins announced last Monday evening (Apr. 20) that he would be stepping down from his position and leaving the team. Desjardins joined the Ice in November of 2014, following the controversial firing of former head coach and GM Neil Langridge in late October. Prior to this season, a championship winning coach, Desjardins had five years of prior coaching experience with the team.
Now, on the heels of a fifth NEAJBHL championship and playing in the Keystone Cup tournament, Desjardins has decided to walk away once again. When asked about the reason for his departure, all Desjardins said was that a reason might come out in the coming weeks.
“Eventually, maybe further in the future, there could be a ‘why' but for right now I just want to keep it as is,” said Desjardins. “It's just not something that I want to talk about right now…a lot of things (can) change pretty quick.”
That's not the only sudden change the Ice has seen in their upper management. Near the end of the playoff season, heading into provincials, Les Wilson was welcomed on board as the new VP of Hockey Operations, taking over for Cory Broadhead. Wilson, who has previously held positions with Hockey Alberta, was also the chairman and organizer of this year's Keystone Cup.
“I was working with the (Cold Lake Ice) board (of directors) because of the Keystone Cup. There were some challenges with the hockey operations and I was asked if I could step in and help, so I assumed the role of VP of Hockey Operations,” explained Wilson.
Wilson said that that he and the board had no warning that Desjardins would be putting in his resignation.
“We actually didn't expect it at this time. I had informed the coaching staff that we were going to do a year-end review and that might not have made him happy. He didn't give any reasons; he just said that he was resigning,” said Wilson.
He added, “The board of directors was looking to do a year-end assessment with everything that had occurred (last year) and we were planning interviews with everybody so we could get a feel for where the team is. Paul hadn't been signed to a contract and that may have been a deciding factor in stepping away at this time.”
Desjardins brought with him a team including assistant coaches Kevin Krook and Phil Bernier. Both of whom, Wilson said, would be welcome to stay with the Cold Lake Ice should the incoming head coach ask them to join him.
Expect to see a number of changes with the way the team operates come next season. After the unrest experienced this past season, Wilson said they are going to do a proper assessment of the organization, as well as sit down as a board and discuss issues and how to move forward.
“We want to have the best product for our sponsors, for our fans…We're really looking at instituting some policy changes for the team across the board. As you know, this year's had a bit of turmoil but with the success of the Keystone Cup, we want to build off that and move forward,” said Wilson. “It's a community-based team and we need to involve the community in moving forward.”
Wilson added that they will have to sit down as an organization and discuss what they are looking for in a new head coach, but he hopes to have someone hired by July.
“I want to see a coach that can build a plan for the entire year and work within that plan to develop young hockey players within the community.”
In addition to the former head coach, there are at least three players that fans won't see returning to the ice with Cold Lake next year. Defenceman Zach Zarowny along with forwards Devon Hascarl and Tanner Corbeil will be over the eligible age to play in Alberta Jr. B hockey.
As five time league champions, Wilson hopes to see a lot of the core players return. He said his vision is to continue to develop the Cold Lake Ice and finally win a provincial championship.
“We need to work on some of the fine details to ensure we get over that hump and winning a provincial championship is my next goal. I'd really like to see us go to the Keystone Cup in Regina (next year) as the Alberta representative.”
Wilson also noted another change made in the board of governors was former board secretary Gena North being named the new VP of Business.
