Just one season after returning to Fernie, Barry Wolff is saying goodbye to the Ghostriders once more. The Head Coach and General Manager of Fernie’s Junior B hockey team is moving up to the Junior A ranks. He’ll be the Head Coach of the Coquitlam Express with the BCHL for the 2013/2014 season.
“I’m very excited with the new position,” commented Wolff. “There are only 16 jobs in this league for Head Coach and GM and I am lucky enough to have one today. I can't wait to get the fall training camp going and start playing regular season games, but there is a lot of work to do before that happens.”
Wolff returned to Fernie this season after spending the last few years coaching at the Junior A level in the B.C. Hockey League and the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He previously coached the Ghostriders when the Junior B hockey club was part of the North American Hockey League.
It was a fantastic 2012/2013 season for Wolff and the Riders, finishing in the top of their division and making it to the second round of the KIJHL playoffs.
“My favourite moments of the season were watching the players develop, on the ice and off the ice,” remarked Wolff. “We were very immature at the start of the season and we came so far in that aspect. I got to watch the guys have success and grow as a team to become a team. I’m proud of every one of those players.”
Wolff admits he will miss the community of Fernie just as much as he will miss the team and its support system.
“I loved my time in Fernie when I was here before and I loved it again this past year. It’s a great town, great people, I love the rink, the rink staff, the Ghostriders executive, no one works harder,” he said.” “The staff we had from the coaches to the trainers, team dentist, doctor, chiropractor to the media, and of course the fans are all first class.”
Wolff went on to say, “It is always tough at the end of the season. From the end of August to the end of season that is your family, and you will do any thing for one of those family members.”
The Ghostriders are now on the lookout for a new Head Coach and General Manager and are currently accepting applications. Wolff believes no matter who takes over, the team has a lot to look forward to next season.
“The future is bright for the Ghostriders. They will continue to be one of the best junior teams around, on and off the ice, and that credit goes to the hard working executive who keep the team going year after year.”