'It was time we looked for a new voice': Calgary Hitmen begin search for next head coach
Steve Hamilton spent six years behind the bench for the Calgary Hitmen, but the 50-year-old won't be back for a seventh season.
On Tuesday, the Hitmen announced they won't be renewing the contracts of Hamilton and his assistant coaches, Trent Cassan and Don MacGillivray.
General manager Garry Davidson says it wasn't an easy decision.
"Very difficult," he said.
"These are good people, all three of them. They have families and work hard at what they do. But again, it was time we looked for a new voice – somebody new to get involved and help grow our group here."
Coaches have shelf lives
In his six years behind the bench, Hamilton did a lot of good things, but only got the Hitmen past the first round of the playoffs once.
Davidson has also been a head coach and knows there's a shelf life.
"As coaches, we bring certain things to the table and I think players need a variety of coaches to help round out their game and in this case, round out a team," he said.
No rush for replacement
So now, the search is on for a new coaching staff.
Davidson says the team's in no hurry, but there's already been a lot of interest.
"The emails started coming in hot and heavy already last night," he said.
"We'll take some time to see what candidates are out there and then start the process of weeding them out and shortlisting and then getting people in here for face-to-face interviews."
What they're looking for
Despite being a young team, the Hitmen missed out on the playoffs by just a couple of points.
Davidson knows with a young group, there will be ups and downs.
He says winning and developing players will be key for the next head coach of the Hitmen.
"That will be the key in our selection," he said, "that this particular coach understands that his task is twofold. Win and develop.
"If we don't develop, we won't get players to come here. They'll look at other options. So that will be critical in this process."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.