Osoyoos parts way with only coach in franchise history, Law
Special to The Okanagan Weekend
The Osoyoos Coyotes will have a new person at the helm when the 2018-19 KIJHL season gets underway in the fall.
The Coyotes and head coach and general manager Ken Law have parted ways, Coyotes owner Randy Bedard has confirmed.
“Ken’s done a lot of great things for this organization, (but) I think it was time for a change, time to freshen things up,” he said.
“Sometimes change is not a bad thing. He’s done a wonderful job for this organization, but there’s a lot that goes into a decision.”
Although he wouldn’t speak to specifics, Bedard did say the coach he hired to replace Law would have to live in Osoyoos.
“That will be one of the stipulations — that the person will live here,” he said. “It would be nice if the coach could be here and be a little more engrossed in the community, too.
“I’d love to have that coach have the presence that the players do.”
Although disappointed he won’t be back behind the Coyotes’ bench next year, Law said he plans to stay in hockey.
“I’ve had some inquires from a couple of colleges down in the States. I’ll put everything down and see what makes sense.”
No matter where he ends up, Law says he’ll always look back fondly on the Osoyoos community.
“They’re true to their team down there,” he said. “I’ve never been around a better place to coach.”
He also remember the players he’s coached.
“I’ve been receiving calls from guys all day — guys in college, guys playing semi-pro, guys who maybe I had a little helping hand in getting to where they are,” he said.
“I’ve been invited to a lot of weddings and received a lot of birth announcements; it’s rewarding in so many ways.”
Law has served as the only head coach in the Coyotes’ storied eight-year existence. He guided the team to a league championship in their inaugural 2010-11 season and six regular-season Okanagan division titles.
But the Coyotes, despite reaching the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference championships five times in the following seven years, could not repeat their first-season success.
Law finishes with a combined 354-147-9 record over eight seasons with the Coyotes.