FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
April 15, 2019 –
Merritt, BC – The Merritt Centennials regrettably announce the departure of Head Coach and General Manager Joe Martin. Coach Martin will be taking his talents to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for the 2019-20 season.
Martin led the Centennials to their most successful regular season in 30 years during the 2018-19 campaign, amassing a record of 36-15-4-3 good enough for a 1st place tie in the Interior Division, and earned him the BCHL’s Coach of the Year. Martin first joined the Centennials organization as an Assistant Coach with Luke Pierce in 2011. He served under Pierce until the summer of 2015 when he was appointed Head Coach after Pierce departed for the WHL. In his four years as Head Coach, Martin guided the Centennials to a 106-97-5-21 record.
Merritt Centennials President Neil Menard says that while the board was optimistic to re-sign the decision was Martin’s.
“It’s sad to hear that he’s made the decision to move on, it’s part of the business, but the club needs to take the next steps.”
Director of Hockey Operations Brian Barrett adds that the search for a new head coach begins now.
“We’re going to welcome applications from across the nation in search of the next Head Coach of the Merritt Centennials. This is a storied franchise with a lot of history, and we’re looking to start the next chapter.”
The Centennials organization wishes Martin luck in his new position, and thanks him and his family for his years of service to the club.
Any coaches interested in the vacancy can send their applications to [email protected]
