Former Merritt Centennials bench boss Joe Martin has signed a multi-year agreement to become the new head coach and general manager of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, the sa国际传媒 Hockey League club announced Monday.
Martin guided the Centennials to a 36-15-7 record this season, good for second place in the Interior Division. Martin compiled an overall record of 106-97-24 in four seasons as the Centennials鈥� head coach and GM.
Martin spent eight seasons with Merritt, joining the Centennials as assistant coach and assistant GM for the 2011-12 season before taking over as head coach in 2015.
Martin has also served as the assistant coach the past two years for Team sa国际传媒 West at the World Junior A Challenge.
Martin said he is excited for the challenge in Port Alberni: 鈥淓very time I鈥檝e coached in the Weyerhaeuser Arena, I鈥檝e always been impressed with the hometown presence. It鈥檚 a loud building with fantastic ice 鈥� arguably the best in the BCHL. I look forward to bringing an entertaining brand of hockey to the Alberni Valley and continuing to help young athletes improve.鈥�
Martin replaces Matt Hughes, who resigned last month after two seasons as head coach and GM of the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs president David Michaud described the hiring of Martin as a 鈥渕ajor win for our program.鈥�
