By Matt Kelly

North Stars in final stage of coach hiring process

Aug 10, 2016 | 5:19 PM

The new coach of the Battlefords North Stars could be announced sooner rather than later.

On July 25, it was announced Kevin Hasselberg was leaving the head coach and general manager position after five seasons to become the head coach of the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League. 

Team President Troy Slywka said the organization has one final step before hiring the new coach and the selection committee offered input.

“We have shortlisted five potential candidates that we have interviewed. The interviews have been completed and now it’s just a matter of weighing all the applicants,” he said.

All five shortlisted candidates are from Western Canada and have ties to Saskatchewan.

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 1

11h ago

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

Battlefords Volleyball Club

13U BVC Impact take provincial silver in Warman

Apr 17, 2024

Originally the organization wanted to hire a coach by Aug. 22, but it looks like the position will be filled well in advance.

“I’m hoping it’s going to be a lot sooner. I’m hoping that we’ll have a coach in place either by the end of this week or the beginning of next week,” Slywka said.

Slywka added the hiring process hasn’t affected the summer schedule heading into the 2016-17 season,

“We’re still on track for everything going forward. Camp is still ready to start at the end of the month and the hockey school is still going to go on Aug. 22, so we’re still good that way,” he said.

The North Stars players return to the Battlefords on Aug. 28 for fitness tests and the beginning of training camp on Aug. 29.

Matt Kelly is battlefordsNOW’s town municipal affairs and community reporter. He can be reached at mkelly@jpbg.ca.