By Derek Cornet

Ice Wolves seek new assistant coach

Mar 27, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The La Ronge Ice Wolves are on the search for a new assistant coach and could shortlist some people for the job in the coming days.

That’s according to board President Grant Merriman who said Darren Martens was let go from his position on good terms earlier this month. Martens was hired back in April 2017 and joined head coach Evan Vossen and assistant coach Terry Hunt behind the bench.

“He wasn’t really a good fit for the team,” Merriman said. “This year we’re looking to go a different direction and he just really wasn’t a good fit.”

So far, there are six people who have applied for the position since the job listing was placed about two weeks ago, Merriman said. He noted the squad is looking for someone with experience, who is community-minded and who has the skills to complete assigned tasks efficiently. The assistant coach will also need to communicate with billets, educators and employers of players, as well as provide leadership and act as a positive role model.

Merriman added it has always been a struggle to convince both qualified coaches and players to move to northern Saskatchewan to join the Ice Wolves. Next season, he expects 85 to 90 per cent of the players will return and noted they all have a positive attitude about living in the North. Anyone interested in applying for the assistant coach position has until April 13 to do so, but Merriman said they’re looking to fill the spot sooner rather than later.

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“We’ve got a good bunch of guys and that’s half the battle,” Merriman said. “We’re going to do some interviews and we hope to shortlist some of the guys right away. The next two days will maybe tell the story.”

The Ice Wolves are also planning a fundraiser next month on April 14. The Spring Fever Cabaret will feature local band The Funk Bus along with Constant Reminder. Merriman noted the team held a cabaret last fall which was successful, so they decided to hold another one to see how it goes. All money raised will benefit the club.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno