Coach Pierce returns to Interior roots as Ice hit road

Ice head coach Luke Pierce directs practice. – Taylor Rocca Photo

Originally published in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman/Kimberley Daily Bulletin (Nov. 30, 2015)

Though Tuesday night will ultimately go down in the record books as a road game for the Kootenay Ice, it could turn out to be a bit more of a home game than one might expect.

Ice head coach Luke Pierce, hired this summer after the departure of longtime Kootenay coach Ryan McGill, not only spent the better part of the past six seasons as the bench boss for the BCHL’s Merritt Centennials, he grew up in the Nicola Valley and played two years of junior hockey with the club he went on to coach.

When the Ice (6-19-2-0) take on the Kamloops Blazers (11-9-3-0) in Western Hockey League action Tuesday night at the Sandman Centre, it will mark Pierce’s first return to Interior B.C. as the head coach of a team not named the Centennials.

Former Ice coach Ryan McGill lands new gig in OHL

Ryan McGill – Courtesy Kootenay Ice

Originally published in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman/Kimberley Daily Bulletin (July 29, 2015)

Ryan McGill has found a new den.

The former Kootenay Ice bench boss was announced as the new head coach of the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League Tuesday morning.

Ice round out hockey ops staff

Courtesy Kootenay Ice

Originally published in Cranbrook Daily Townsman/Kimberley Daily Bulletin (June 30, 2015)

The Kootenay Ice have rounded out their hockey operations staff for the 2015-16 WHL season with the hiring of Gordon Burnett as assistant coach and Darcy Ewanchuk as trainer/equipment manager.

In addition to the new hirings, the Ice renewed the contract of Garnet Kazuik, director of scouting.

The three join head coach Luke Pierce, who was hired by the club on May 26.

Taking the helm

Originally published in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman/Kimberley Daily Bulletin (May 26, 2015)

Luke Pierce has been named the seventh head coach in Kootenay Ice franchise history.

When Jeff Chynoweth, president and general manager, set out to find a replacement for longtime bench boss Ryan McGill, he had four key points in mind:  teaching, communication, patience and the ability to relate to today’s young player.

Chynoweth is convinced he’s found all of that in the 31-year-old native of Merritt, B.C.

Ice name Luke Pierce seventh coach in franchise history

Originally published in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman/Kimberley Daily Bulletin (May 26, 2015)

The Kootenay Ice have named Luke Pierce the seventh head coach in franchise history.

President and general manager Jeff Chynoweth made the announcement Tuesday morning.