Cents Announce 2022-23 Coaching Staff

by courtchristy

May 19, 2022May 30, 2022

Merritt, B.C. – The Merritt Centennials are excited to announce the hiring of Sam Waterfield and Tyler Steel.

Sam Waterfield is hired as Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager while Tyler Steel joins the team as the new Goaltending Coach for the 2022-23 season. The two join Head Coach and General Manager Curtis Toneff and Assistant Coach Paul Barnes to round out the Centennials coaching staff for the upcoming season.

Sam comes to Merritt after spending last season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Prior to that Sam has spent time with the Grande Prairie Storm, Coquitlam Express and the Saanich Braves in the VIJHL.

Waterfield will be leaned on for many aspects of the day-to-day activities of the team and will play a key role in developing players’ individual skills. He will also lead the Centennials annual hockey school and is excited to get involved with Merritt Minor Hockey.

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“I’m excited to come to Merritt and have a big role in helping to turn around the longest standing franchise in the BCHL”, mentioned Waterfield.

Tyler Steel came to Merritt 12 years ago to play for the Centennials, starting over 100 career games in three seasons with the team. In his third season with the Centennials Steel was awarded team MVP and was named the goalie for the Interior All-Star Team.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Centennials coaching staff and to help turn this franchise back into a winning one,” said Steel. “As an alumnus, I am very passionate about this team and want to see it succeed, as well as to help these young players grow and move on to the next level.”