Jamie Fiset has stepped down as head coach of the Ridge Meadow Flames.
Fiset made the decision official Monday, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
He will remain the team’s general manager and governor.
Assistant coach Bayne Ryshak will take over the head coaching position. He will be assisted by former NHLer and Vancouver Canuck Denis Pederson.
Andrew Ilaender, co-owner of the Flames, said the decision made sense considering everything Fiset had taken on.
“I had Jamie wearing too many hats, to be honest,” said Ilaender. From being coach, GM, governor and with his work with B.C. hockey, the owner said it was something they agreed upon.
“Our record hasn’t been fantastic in the past few years but it was a decision more so by Jamie. He hadn’t been spending much time with his family and in order to do that, he had to drop something. This will give him more family time that he needs. He will still be a big part of this hockey club.”
The Flames currently sit fourth in the Harold Brittain division with a record of seven wins, eight losses, one tie and three overtime losses.
The Flames finished last in the division last year with just 16 wins in 44 games.
Fiset said he confident in his new coach Ryshak and is excited that Pederson has decided to help out.
“We are so lucky to have Denis around to help out,” said Ilaender. “It’s not often you get someone with 10-plus years of professional playing experience to come out and help a junior B club. We’re pretty grateful for that. He’s a great guy and really down to earth. I think it will be a big help.
Fiset said he has noticed that he has been spreading himself too thin lately.
He recently missed a weekend with the Flames and realized it was time to give Ryshak the reigns.
“I could see that he was ready,” said Fiset. I know he’ll do a great job. He’s clearly demonstrated, in my opinion, that he’s a guy that is willing to work hard. He’s not a guy who thinks there is a simple solution. He understands you have to work hard if you want to have success in this league."
The new coach will get his first chance when he takes on over the reigns on the road against the Aldergrove Kodiaks on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The Flames currently sit two points back of Aldergrove.