Bryant Perrier, 50, is the new head coach/GM of the North Okanagan Knights.
Perrier replaces Vernon’s Jim Armstrong with the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League franchise. Former Knights’ owner Chuck Gallacher, of Kelowna, was the team’s GM last year.
“Bryant has an extensive and impressive coaching and playing resume,” said new team owner Dean Keller, of Oliver. “Bryant will provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Knights organization. He has had a tremendous amount of success as a head coach at the Junior level.”
Bryant’s most recent coaching assignment was for three years in Europe at the professional level in France.
He previously served as head coach of the BCHL Merritt Centennials for two years and the Penticton Panthers for seven seasons, ending 2004, when he joined the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
“I’ve been doing this a long time and you learn from your mistakes and take a personal inventory,” said Perrier. “In France, I was coaching men who had played Olympics so it was a completely different level, but I still enjoy the developmental part of hockey and think I have a lot to offer.”
Perrier’s strengths are in communication, video analysis and skill development by way of teaching fundamentals, technical and tactical components of the game. He also enjoys recruiting, scouting, media relations and community service.
An all-star d-man with the BCJHL Penticton Knights, Revelstoke Rangers and Langley Eagles, Perrier earned a scholarship to the University of Alaska, where he amassed 100 points in four years. He played 56 games with the IHL Phoenix Roadrunners.
