The Nanaimo Clippers will set sail in a new direction, away from Bill Bestwick.
The team’s coach and general manager for the past 11 seasons was fired from those positions, the B.C. Hockey League club announced Monday.
Mike Vandekamp assumes the roles of coach, GM and director of hockey operations.
“[After] three years of first- or second-round exits, we thought that if we wanted to get back to the top, [we needed] to get someone in here with new energy,” said Ken Wagner, Clippers governor. “It was time for a change.”
Wagner said he has offered Bestwick an “alternate governor/governor” role that has not yet been accepted or declined.
Last month Wagner told Clippers fans that Bestwick would be behind the bench for the 2011-12 season if he wanted to be.
“When we talked about that, we talked about Billy being involved with the organization,” said Wagner. “We have extended our hand to Bill to stay involved with the organization.”
The governor was asked if his working relationship with Bestwick deteriorated this past season and said the two had disagreements, as any business partners would have.
“This decision had nothing to do with our relationship,” Wagner said. “This was a hockey decision based on two things: results, and the fact that we wanted to set the direction moving forward.”
Vandekamp starts immediately, as he is expected at work at the Clippers’ office today (March 22). He officially resigned his position as coach and GM of Alberta’s Grande Prairie Storm on Monday.
Fans will recall that Vandekamp was the Clippers’ co-coach for a short stint during the off-season in 2005 before accepting a coaching job in major junior. This time Wagner has received assurances from Vandekamp that he considers his new job with the Clippers a long-term commitment.
“I’ve got a strong relationship with Mike. It goes back a long time. He’s won at every level,” Wagner said. “He’s a well-connected guy in the game of hockey and he’s going to help us get back to the top, we believe, in a quick and orderly fashion.”
Michael Olson, assistant coach and assistant general manager, remains under contract and assistant coach Brett Bestwick has been working for the club seasonally in hockey operations only.
Bill Bestwick and Vandekamp hadn’t returned phone calls at press time.
