The Comox Valley Glacier Kings will have a new coach for the 2011-2012 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season.
Kevin Hasselberg will replace Jim MacLean behind the bench, the team announced on April 1. MacLean, who coached the Yetis for the last two seasons, resigned in March.
"The Glacier Kings would like to welcome Kevin Hasselberg as our new head coach for the 2011-2012 season," the team stated on its website. "Kevin is an experienced and inspirational leader who loves to teach.
"He is passionate about the game of hockey, the fundamentals and discipline of structuring a culture consisting of family values, trust, integrity, industriousness, camaraderie and enthusiasm. We would also like to welcome Kevin's wife Leah, daughter Shawnie and son Dillon to our community."
Hasselberg was assistant coach and assistant GM with the BCHL Alberni Valley Bulldogs in 2010-11. The Bulldogs announced on March 18 that "Kevin will be pursuing other coaching opportunities for the upcoming season..."
Feedback following the announcement indicated Bulldog fans were not happy with the move. "A major loss to this hockey franchise!" "What does this say for next year? We have a coach the team doesn't respect. Be interesting to see who comes back next year. I know the guys really liked Kevin." "Terrible news. Just when you thought things couldn't get worse," were among the comments posted.
Hasselberg was head coach and director of hockey operations with the AJHL Olds Grizzlys from 2004-2010.
MacLean said he told the team he was resigning shortly after they had been eliminated from the playoffs. "The bottom line is I ... felt it was time for me to leave and let somebody else take over. I thank Marsha, Dave and Iris for the opportunity to coach the Glacier Kings for the last two years. I enjoyed a lot of things about it. They're really good people who have the best interest of the players front and centre."
MacLean said he would like to coach in the future while continuing to enjoy his retirement in the Comox Valley.
MacLean led the Icemen to first place in the North Division this year with a 32-11-0-1 record. They advanced to the second round of the playoffs where they bowed to the Peninsula Panthers, who went on to win the VIJHL championship and just captured the Cyclone Taylor Cup (B.C. Jr. B championship).
Hasselberg could not be contacted prior to the Record deadline.
sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com
To contact by e-mail: hass_k@telus.net