Fernie Ghostrider President Phil Iddon announced this morning that after five seasons Head Coach and General Manager Will Verner has tendered his resignation and will not return for the 2012-2013 season.
Verner coached the Ghostriders to a KIJHL Championship, both Bronze and Silver Medals at the Cyclone Taylor Cup.
“For five years in a row Will has recruited the best team in the Eddie Mountain Division,” said Iddon. “Will has left us with a great foundation looking ahead and has developed several younger players this past season.
“Off the ice Will played a key roll in the team successfully hosting the KIJHL All Star Game and Cyclone Taylor Cup last year. Will has also developed an excellent marketing program with numbers higher than we had ever expected and he had the players
get involved with the community more than ever.
“We wish Will and his new family Kirsten and daughter Annabel good luck in their future endeavours.”
Verner said he has had an amazing five years and will miss the players, staff and fans.
“I am glad I returned the call on Monday August 20, 2007 as I knew the phone number and I thought that I knew what it would be about,” he said.
“Five seasons later the Mustang has been exchanged for a Suburu and the car has a baby seat for Annabel, a cage for Kaze and Rider, and a seat for my amazing wife Kirsten.
“To work for such a strong organization with such a great following has been amazing. Thank you Phil Iddon for bringing me to Fernie as it was everything you said it would be and more. You were true to your word, put a lot of faith in me and gave me a great opportunity. We had all the tools needed to win each and every year. I wish we could have got it done a couple more times as the team was there we just didn't push the right buttons.
“The players were tremendous and will be missed. So many great personalities and characters. It was a tremendous pleasure to be around so many good people. Thank you to the staff who put up with me for five years and at times probably wondered what the heck I was thinking - sometimes I was wondering! “We had some great laughs, some tough nights and some great memories.”