Centennials make coaching change

Oct 16, 2019 | 1:27 PM

The Merritt Centennials will have a new head coach when they face off against the Vernon Vipers tonight.

The Centennials announced today they are parting ways with Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff after just 11 games.

The team’s Board of Directors elected by a majority vote to terminate Wolff and promote Assistant Coach Derek-Sweet Coulter to Interim Head Coach and General Manager.

President Neil Menard said the Centennials had to address some of the unrest within the team which has just two wins and nine losses, and in last place in the BCHL.

“It comes down to some philosophical differences. It wasn’t solely the wins and losses, you expect that early on in a season. The board has taken action to address some of the issues brought to them from others close to the team,” said Menard on the team’s website.

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“I want to thank Barry for everything he did for me and bringing me here, he will always be a mentor and friend to me,” said Sweet Coulter. “Obviously this isn’t the way you want to receive a job but the business side of the game is out of our control. I am excited to lead this group into the future developing young adults who will be great leaders that have a positive impact on the community of Merritt.”

Wolff, who is originally from Kelowna, came to the Centennials with 24 years of junior hockey coaching experience, primarily in the BCHL.

His last BCHL job was with the Coquitlam Express from 2013 to 2017 as Head Coach and General Manager, with the team winning the BCHL Championship in the 2013-14 season.

You can listen to the Centennials-Vipers game from Merritt on 107.5 Beach Radio with Graham Turnbull, starting at 6:45 p.m.

In other BCHL news, the league has confirmed it is in the process of buying the West Kelowna Warriors from current owner Kim Dobranski.

He has owned the team for a couple of years, but it has struggled to attract fans.

Once the deal is finalized, the league will try to find a new owner.

by Pete McIntyre

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