The Victoria Grizzlies are pleased to announce they have hired Suneil Karod as an Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach. Karod comes to the Grizzlies with vast experiences in Junior hockey.
Karod has spent time in the BCHL with the Powell River Kings, and the Chilliwack Chiefs, where in 2018 as an assistant coach won a Royal Bank Cup. He most recently coached with the Swan Valley Stampeders of the MJHL.
Karod spent many years with the Victoria Cougars, of the VIJHL, as an Assistant and Head Coach/General Manager, winning 5 championships in 8 seasons. He was hired for the 2021-2022 season by the Victoria Cougars as the General Manager where he has built a championship ready team full of Junior A prospects.
Karod is a hard worker and is known for his ability to develop players and has done so his entire career.
“I feel my strength lies in communication and the ability to teach,” said Karod. “I’ve worked hard to learn from the people around me and apply that to my coaching philosophy. I think it’s important to have a culture around the players that enables them to be accountable and to learn with the mindset that we’re going to get better every day.”
“I think Suneil is a seasoned coach with years of experience who’s past successes speak for themselves, said Head Coach Craig DIdmon. “He will have the ear of the players right away and he will be able to teach and coach and help our players continue their positive paths.”.
Suneil, born and raised in Nanaimo, has lived the majority of his life on Vancouver Island, and has been in Victoria for over 15 years. He is aware of what it means to not only coach in the BCHL, but to coach with the Grizzlies.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Grizzlies, continued Karod. “I’ve worked hard to move up and the patience has paid off. The BCHL is an elite level of Junior hockey. The Grizzlies are a great organization and I’m excited for the opportunity to learn from Craig [Didmon] and to coach the elite roster he’s put together. He’s been in the game a long time and he’s had a lot of success, especially in moving players to the next level and I know he has a lot to offer me in my growth as a coach.”
“He understands the time and he is ready and willing and it takes a certain type of passion for the game to be up to the day to day challenge of the BCHL, and not only to just compete but to win,” added Didmon.
Karod’s new roles with the organization will begin immediately.
