Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Bobcats Name Van Hereweghe as New Head Coach & GM

Press Release

  It is with immense pride and excitement that the Lloydminster Jr. ‘A’ Bobcats Hockey Association have named Garry Van Hereweghe as the team’s Head Coach and General Manager.

Garry has been involved with the organization since being named as Director of Player Personnel in May of 2012, and stepped in as General Manager in January for the final two months of the 2012-13 season. In his roles with the Bobcats in 2012-13, the former RBC Cup Champion helped bring in key players such as Devin Green, Liam & Mitch McNamara, and Tanner Dunkle, among others.

Garry has more than 13 years of coaching experience at the Junior A level, including eight in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. In 2001, Garry led the Camrose Kodiaks to a Canadian Junior Hockey League national RBC Cup championship and was named the AJHL Coach of the Year. He also spent two years in the WHL as an assistant coach – one year with the Medicine Hat Tigers and one year with the Prince Albert Raiders. His most recent coaching stint was in 2009-10 as Head Coach and General Manager of the Okotoks Oilers. Garry is a retired officer with the Calgary Police Service and is excited to get started in his newest role with the Bobcats.

“It is with great pride and appreciation that I once again have the opportunity to coach in the AJHL and especially in a community as supportive as Lloydminster,” said Van Hereweghe. “Serving as the Director of Player Personnel and GM over the past season with the Bobcats has provided me the insight and opportunity to witness how committed the fans, sponsors, supporters and the City of Lloydminster are towards the Bobcats Jr. ‘A’ organization. It is a great hockey atmosphere and I look forward to being a big part of the community as well as the Bobcats hockey team.”

“It was a unanimous decision by our hiring committee,” said President Robert Heffner. “Garry has a track record of success at this level, and is already familiar with the team’s current players and staff. He also has a reputation for being a very community-oriented coach, so he will fit in very well with our community-owned organization.”

With only two graduating players off of the 2012-13 roster and a head coach with proven success, the Jr. ‘A’ Bobcats head into the organization’s 31st season poised to be a serious contender in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Garry will be available at the Centennial Civic Centre (5405 – 49th Avenue) at 10:30 AM to field any questions from the local media. Barry Sawchuk will take over as the team’s Director of Player Personnel & Head Scout. Led by Barry Sawchuk, the team’s scouting staff will remain fully intact heading into the offseason. An announcement regarding the team’s coaching staff is expected to be made by Garry before March 15th.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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