ESTEVAN - The board of directors of the Estevan Eclipse Downhole Solutions U18 AAA Bears hockey club has announced the decision to release Jeff Smith as the team’s head coach.
“This decision was not made lightly, however we felt this was a necessary action to ensure both the short-term and long-term success of our program,” the organization said in a news release.
“Our goal of building a winning program this season has not changed, and we believe that our club can play well for the rest of this season, earn a playoff spot, and make this a successful year for the players and the Estevan Bears.”
Riley Hengen, who has been an assistant coach for the team, will be taking over as interim head coach, with Blake Jamieson as assistant coach for the remainder of the season.
The board of directors will re-evaluate the position and announce a new head coach after the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
Smith is the only head coach the Bears have ever had. The organization is in its second season in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League, but this is their first full campaign.
Next week's edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
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