Coaching Staff / Hockey Operations Staff

BrianBarrett

Brian Barrett

Director of Hockey Operations/BCHL Governor, Merritt Centennials

Brian Barrett played minor hockey in Merritt and more than 50 years later is still actively involved in the game in the Nicola Valley. He played junior hockey in Penticton, Kamloops and Merritt before starting a coaching career in 1971. He coached Midget and Junior teams for over 25 seasons.

Barrett was also Owner, General Manager, and Head Coach of the Merritt Centennials. For Merritt’s master builder of hockey, no job has been too big or too small. Hundreds of former Merritt players have enjoyed hockey careers at the pro level, including 14 in the NHL. Barrett has won many awards including BCHL Coach of the Year and the Dunc Jamieson Award as an individual to display their dedication to – and the enjoyment of – the game of hockey. The Centennials are the longest continuously run franchise in the BCHL and Barrett has been an integral part of that great success. He was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.

Barrett can be reached at brbarretmt@gmail.com.

JoeMartin

Joe Martin

General Manager/Head Coach, Merritt Centennials

Joe Martin became the 25th Head Coach in Merritt Centennials history on May 29, 2015. Supported by his wife Katelyn and son Peter, Martin has continued to foster the long standing reputation of the Centennials as a hard working team. During Martin’s tenure as GM and Head Coach in Merritt, he’s helped many Cents players move on to play college hockey at the NCAA level.

His recent accomplishments include winning a gold medal during the 2017 World Junior A Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia, with Team Canada West as an Assistant Coach. Martin will once again be an Assistant Coach with Team Canada West for this years World Junior A Challenge.

Martin can be reached at joe@merrittcentennials.com.