Victoria Grizzlies News

GRIZZLIES ADD NEW ASSISTANT

June 13, 2009 Sharie Epp ©Times Colonist -

A former teammate will join Victor Gervais behind the bench for the Victoria Grizzlies next season. Wade Bartley, a secondround draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 1988, has been named the team’s new assistant coach.

An associate coach with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League last season, Bartley’s pro career included playing with Gervais in the ECHL with the Hampton Roads Admirals, and in the American Hockey League with the Baltimore Skipjacks.

Bartley, 39, heard Gervais had been chosen as head coach, and headed for the phone.

“He called the next day,” Gervais said, adding Bartley was among several prospects who sent resumes. “I picked him, because I felt comfortable with him. You’ve got to have an assistant coach who’s going to back you, and he’s that kind of guy.”

Bartley, whose experience includes coaching stints with the Nashville Nighthawks (Central Hockey League) and Columbus Stars (United Hockey League), plans to drive out from back East later this month, and visit with family, before becoming immersed in recruiting for the Victoria training camp, which begins on Aug. 24.

The B.C. Hockey League is returning to an interlocking schedule for next season, and has eliminated the Island and Mainland Divisions in favour of an eight-team Coastal Conference. The Grizzlies played each Island team 12 times last season, and only travelled to visit half the Interior teams. The change means all 17 teams — the Williams Lake Timberwolves are back in the mix — will see each other’s arena at least once.

ICE CHIPS: New head coaches around the league include: Dave Dupas in Williams Lake; Joey Bouchard in Merritt; and Glen Watson in Quesnel. Meanwhile, the Westside Warriors are advertising for a new head guy, after the departure of Mark Howell to the University of Calgary.