Search for Natives' new coach to begin soon

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Published on Wednesday, March 23, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The Neepawa Natives’ search for a new head coach is expected to kick into high gear after the completion of this weekend’s spring training camp. Late last week, the junior ‘A’ club announced via media release that Jim Fuyarchuk would not be returning as coach for the 2016-2017 MJHL season.

 The decision not to renew Fuyarchuk’s contract was made by the Neepawa Native’s hockey operations committee. Fuyarchuk was hired by the team in May 2015. In his lone year behind the bench, the Natives went 13-45-2 and accumulated a total of 28 points on the season. 

Team vice president Cam Tibbett said the process of finding a replacement will start after the spring prospects camp, which is scheduled from Friday, Mar. 25 to Sunday Mar. 27 at the Yellowhead Arena, has been completed.

“There will not be too much done before camp. Our general manager [Myles Cathcart], director of player personnel [Brian Billet] and the assistant coach [Dustin Howden] will be focusing primarily on the spring camp and ensuring it’s successful. Once that’s completed though, our hockey operations will meet again to discuss the coaching situation,” said Tibbett. “We’re optimistic we’ll have something in place for the MJHL draft [scheduled for June].”

This is the third time in four seasons that the hockey club will be looking for a new coach in the off-season. Upon completion of the 2014-2015 MJHL season, then coach Dwayne Kirkup stepped down from the position after two years behind the bench. At the conclusion of the 2012-2013 season, the hockey club and coach Ken Brooks mutually parted ways.