A new bench boss will lead the Merritt Centennials in 2019/2020, after the club announced that Joe Martin will be moving to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs organization next season.
The former head coach and general manager started with the Centennials in 2011, serving as an assistant coach under Luke Pierce. He was appointed head coach after Pierce made the jump to the WHL in 2015.
He led the club to its most successful regular season in 30 years in 2018/19, as the club finished second overall in the Interior division. The team was bounced in the first round of the BCHL playoffs in five games to the Trail Smoke Eaters.
“… it is difficult for us to give a coach a multi-year contract because every year we are struggling to keep the team afloat,” said Neil Menard, president of the Merritt Centennials.
The Centennials organization was hoping to re-sign Martin this off-season, but club president Neil Menard said the decision to leave was Martin’s.
“Of course we wanted Joe to stay. He had a good year — we fell behind a bit in the playoffs but that’s playoff hockey,” said Menard. “The difficulty for us here is our finances — it is difficult for us to give a coach a multi-year contract because every year we are struggling to keep the team afloat.”
Unable to offer a multi-year deal, the Centennials had been negotiating with Martin on a year-to-year basis, said Menard.
Assistant coach Brandon Shaw intends to stick with the team, added Menard.
“[Shaw] and Joe had a chat with all the players, and Brandon has indicated to the players that this is what is happening and he intends to stick around,” said Menard. “We’ve told Brandon that he’s done a great job with us and to make sure he puts his name forward for that position and he’ll definitely be looked at.”
The hunt for a new head coach and general manager is already underway, said Brian Barrett, director of hockey operations for the Centennials, in a news release on Monday.
“We’re sorry to lose Joe. It was his decision but we wish him all the best in the future, that’s what hockey is all about,” said Menard “And hopefully he has a great year with Port Alberni.”
