Photo Credit: Tami Quan Photography
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEST KELOWNA B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the promotion of Head Coach Simon Ferguson to the position of Head Coach and General Manager. With this promotion Ferguson has signed a three-year contract that runs through June of 2024.
Owner John Murphy stated, “We are thrilled to expand Simon’s role to include the General Manager title. Since the day Simon joined us his work ethic, hockey acumen and management skills have surpassed our high expectations. We are an organization that cares deeply about instituting a winning culture and Simon understands how to get us there and keep us there. I have worked closely with Simon on the recruiting front and we have considerable momentum. Signing Simon for three more years will build on this momentum and ensure continuity for all our players.”
Ferguson was hired as interim Head Coach in January of 2020, shortly after new ownership took over. He guided the team to the playoffs and lost in a closely contested first round playoff series. In March, 2020, Ferguson was named full time Head Coach and managed the club through the various stages of a season disrupted by the Covid pandemic. With these experiences behind him, and his staff fully in place, Ferguson is excited to lead the Warriors forward.
Ferguson stated, “I look forward to the opportunity to continue building a program that plays at a high level and is an integral part of the community of West Kelowna. We will be bringing back a great group of coaches, advisors, and staff who will continue to support and get the best out of our players. I would like to thank Mr. Murphy and Mr. Hume for the opportunity and their trust in me. They have put considerable efforts into getting out there and recruiting some exciting new players who will complement our existing core of veteran players. We expect to have a fast, skilled team who competes at every moment on the ice.”
Ferguson will manage a staff that includes Assistant Coach Ayrton Nikkel, Assistant Coach and Player Development Director Josh Gorges, Goaltending Coach Chad Carder, and Athletic Therapist Michael Bois. The Warriors will begin training camp in September and open the Regular Season on October 9th at Royal LePage Place.
