Ice Dogs' West will not return for 2nd season as coach with club

Press Release

The Dryden Ice Dogs Board of Governors has announced that the SIJHL club has elected to not pick up the option year in Head Coach Joe West’s contract.

President Malcolm Robertson says “the Ice Dogs organization would like to thank Joe for his time here and we wish him all the luck in the future.” “Joe did a lot of positive things this season and this was not an easy decision. However, the club has decided to head in a different direction and that change was needed.”

Robertson says “we are now actively looking for a new Head Coach for the Dryden Ice Dogs 12th season in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.”

In his first season behind the bench, West guided the team to a 25-24-7 record, good for 57 points. The Ice Dogs finished in fourth place in the SIJHL standings before bowing out in the Semi-Final in 4 games to the Fort Frances Lakers.

Robertson adds “we are excited about the off-season and an opportunity to put all the proper pieces in place for a run at the Bill Salonen Cup next season.” He adds “having a full off-season to recruit and find the right Coach will be beneficial for the organization.”

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)