As the Kitimat Ice Demons begin tryouts this week the team will be looking to fill the head coach position and restrengthen themselves after losing a few strong players.
“We’re losing a few guys who have gone off mostly to school,” said Terry Marleau, the team’s general manager.
Those players leaving are Craig Hewitson, Blaine Markwart, Wade Masch and Kyle Madsen. Masch was named the unsung here last season and Madsen was rookie of the year.
“We’ve lost a few good players but from what I understand...there’s a few new guys in town to do with industry who may be coming to the tryouts.”
However the team is “madly, at this point, in search for [a head coach].”
Past head coach Barry Boudreault has stepped down due to health reasons.
Marleau said there might be a chance someone from the roster will step up to the role but said that would mean losing a key player. He didn’t indicate who he was referring to.
Meanwhile they’re looking ahead to dethrone last year’s Coy Cup winners.
“I think Smithers is the team to beat, by far,” he said. He added that he believes their team is running with essentially the same people as last year.
Normally Kitimat-hosted, the Terrace River Kings will this year host the Lightning Cup on Sept. 28 and 29, a pre-season competition between Prince Rupert, Terrace, Smithers and Kitimat
Prince Rupert might be in a bind this year as apparently their ice plant is broken, preventing on-ice training until late October.
Kitimat’s first game will be against Prince Rupert on home ice on Oct. 6.