The Battlefords Midget Stars are once again on the hunt for a head coach.
The Stars ended the season with Greg Schmidt behind the bench and it was known when Schmidt took over the team during the Christmas break, he and the board would discuss the future of the team after the season.
Board chairperson, Bruce Yockey explained he and Schmidt had a long discussion and Yockey expressed on behalf of the board they would like him back behind the bench for the 2011-12 season.
After discussing it with his family, Schmidt decided to make the difficult decision not return to coach the Stars. Schmidt returned to the Battlefords after playing nearly two decades of professional hockey, most recently in Europe, and was an instant conductor of hockey knowledge for the Stars when he took over behind the bench. Next hockey season, Schmidt will have an opportunity to continue his post secondary education and follow his two children in minor hockey. Because of that he felt he would not be able to return as the coach of the Stars.
Yockey confirmed the bottom line of spending time with his young family has to come first and, if he could not dedicate the number of hours he felt would be necessary to do an adequate job of coaching, he didn't want to do it at all.
Schmidt was the fourth head coach of the season for the Battlefords AAA Stars. Martin Smith coached until Nov. 26. That was followed by a weekend of coaching from interim coach David George. Next was Trevor Sack for less than a month and finally Schmidt, who took over the team for the final 15 games. Schmidt coached the team to a 3-11-0-1 record, but accomplished one of his major goals when taking over - improving on goals against. In the 29 games prior to Schmidt taking over behind the bench the Stars averaged 5.56 goals against per game. In Schmidt's 15 games behind the bench, the team's average was down to 4.60 goals against.
Although disappointed, Yockey and the board respect the decision of Schmidt and will now begin the process of hiring a coach, as they search throughout the province.
Yockey stated the board would look to have someone in place before spring camp, which takes place April 16 and 17 at the Civic Centre.
