The Fernie Ghostriders have hired Barry Wolff to take on the role of Head Coach and General Manager for the 2012/13 season.
Wolff was a Ghostriders Coach and GM for three seasons when the Junior B hockey club was part of the North American Hockey League. After spending the last few years coaching at the Junior A level in the B.C. Hockey League and the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Wolff couldn’t be happier to return to the Ghostriders.
“It’s just one of the best organizations I’ve ever worked for. The town is awesome, the people and the support, from the corporate people to the fans, it’s unbelievable,” Wolff said. “I’ve worked with private ownership, community run teams, and this is obviously one of the best. That’s what brought me back.”
Involved in hockey for most of his life, this is Wolff’s nineteenth year coaching junior hockey. He’s worked with the Langley Chiefs, Langley Hornets, Quesnel Millionaires, Surrey Eagles, and the Columbia Valley Rockies.
While it’s his passion for hockey that got him started as a coach, Wolff said it’s the kids that keep him going. “I love the game obviously, but I love teaching the kids, and I love seeing them go out and be successful.”
Wolff went on to remark, “They come in as young kids and they pretty much leave as men. Their goal is to get to the next level, so that’s part of our job, to promote that and teach them that, not only as a hockey player but as a person.”
“It’s life lessons and what they learn as discipline and all that out on the ice, it means probably more off the ice for these guys.”
Wolff hasn’t named the official team lineup for the 2012/13 season yet, but said the players are looking promising. “So far so good. We’re happy with what we see. We may have a few wholes to fill still, but it’s coming.”
The Ghostriders have a few more exhibition games ahead of them before the regular season starts on September 14.
