Skip to content

Glacier Kings looking for new head coach

Jordan Butcher relieved of duties after one year behind the bench
58102comox09butcher
JORDAN BUTCHER HAS been relieved of his head coaching duties by the Comox Valley Glacier Kings after a one-year stint behind the bench.

 

 

 

Kalan Anglos

Special to the Record

After a frustrating finish to the 2011-2012 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season, the Comox Valley Glacier Kings have released head coach Jordan Butcher.

In his inaugural season as head coach, Butcher led the Icemen to a 21-18-3 record, with the team taking the VIJHL North Division crown for the second time in as many years. However, despite a talent-laden lineup, the Glacier Kings were upset in the first round of playoffs by the Kerry Park Islanders.

After spending the 2009-2010 and 2010-/2011 seasons as the assistant to former head coach Jim McLean, many expected Butcher was being groomed for the role. Even as a teenager playing for the Kings, Butcher showed promise as a great leader. Yet in his first season at the helm, the 25-year-old Butcher experienced a roller coaster ride.

In the early parts of the regular season, things were firing on all cylinders and after two months, the Glacier Kings owned a division best 11-4 record. But then the November swoon kicked in, and the Yetis went the rest of the year without winning more than three games in a single month. That spelled trouble in the playoffs, when the Kings were ousted by the last-seeded Islanders in seven games.

“We played good enough to win,” said Butcher of the season ending defeat. “We had a good team and I felt we played stronger as the season went on. It’s unfortunate we won’t have the chance to build off what we did this year – that’s the most disappointing part.”

What was the most satisfying part of his short-lived tenure with the Icemen? “Watching these kids grow, not just as hockey players but individuals, and watching some of them get picked up on the various Junior A teams after our season ended – that’s the most gratifying part for me, personally.”

Asked about his reaction to his release, Butcher had this to offer: “At the time, yeah, I was surprised. We had a good team and we accomplished quite a bit, but if they (owners Dave and Marsha Webb) feel a new voice is needed then that’s their prerogative and I respect that. I don’t take it as a shot against my coaching skills, and because of that I can’t dwell on it.”

It is likely Butcher will take the next season off as far as coaching duties, even though his keen hockey sense has given him a few options. But don’t expect the youngest head coach in Glacier Kings history to be off duty long.

“I’ll be back,” said Butcher. “I learned a lot and I realized I love coaching just as much as I loved playing. Even though I have way more to learn, I’m not going to give up. I’m going to keep learning and keep growing and doing what I love to do.”

 

 

 

 



About the Author: Black Press Media Staff

Read more