In nearly 40 days, the Battlefords Midget Stars will have their sixth coach behind the bench.
After relieving Martin Smith of his duties Nov. 26, the Battlefords Stars have had interim coach David George behind the bench, assistant coaches Derek Schmidt and Derek Keller and most recently Trevor Sack, who was hired to be the new head coach, running the bench.
Things change and people move on and that was the case with Sack, who took a position in Peace River, Alta. and left the Stars searching for another head coach.
Taking the position will be Greg Schmidt, former WHL, ECHL, WCHL, IHL and European league star, who has returned home to the Battlefords.
"We are very happy to have someone of his calibre, as far as hockey experience goes, stepping forward to coach our team," said club chairperson Bruce Yockey. "Between Christmas and New Year's we were hit with a bit of a bombshell when Trevor Sack informed us that he had to resign. You can't really fault him for looking after his career, but it left us in a predicament there's no doubt about it."
The Stars are hoping to make the most of the situation and finish the season strong, improving on their 7-21-1-0 record in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.
"I think things happen for a reason," said Yockey. "Greg was here and expressed interest so we sat down and talked with him and it was evident quickly he certainly has a lot of ideas about the game and what he would like to do with the kids who play at this level."
"This is where my hockey start," said Schmidt. "I want to help and make a difference with this program."
Yockey said Schmidt was sceptical about taking over someone else's team, but has the support of the board, who won't be putting too much pressure on Schmidt.
"No one is saying this is the team you picked, you deal with it," added Yockey. "He is walking into a situation where he is taking over a team that wasn't his, that he did not recruit. We have confidence he can help us in the areas we are weak in and get these guys going on the same page and moving forward until the end of the season."
The goal for the team from Yockey's point of view is to improve in the second half, improve in the areas that were glaring weaknesses and if that means a winning streak and a push for the playoffs, it will be a bonus.
Schmidt's goal is to knock down the goals against for the Battlefords Stars and improve on the team defence. The Stars have the worst goals against this season with 162 against and 5.60 goals a game, no team in the league average to score more than 4.20 goals per game.
Yockey said the board and team will recruit as a collective group for the remainder of the season and into the off-season. Schmidt and the board will evaluate the situation at the end of the season and see if things will move forward with him coaching from there.
At least it sounds like they have a coach in place for the remaining 15 games of the schedule and from what Yockey has heard after one practice the players seem upbeat and willing to put in the effort for Schmidt.
"They have heard his philosophies and they respect him," said Yockey.
"I have had them for just one practice, but the players seem willing to work," said Schmidt.
Sack leaves the Battlefords after just a month's time and a 1-3-0 record.
The Stars sit 13 points out of a playoffs spot and in 11th place and will resume action with Schmidt on the bench Saturday and Sunday in Regina.
