Warriors name new coach, assistant GM
Grimwood to serve as associate under Ferster
The West Kelowna Warriors announced the hiring of Geoff Grimwood as associate coach and assistant general manager on Tuesday.
Grimwood, 37, comes to the Warriors after three seasons in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with the Kindersley Klippers as their head coach and general manager. Grimwood helped the Klippers to a 79-82-8-5 record over the last three campaigns, including playoff berths in each of his three years in Kindersley and twice reaching the quarterfinal round.
Despite spending the last three seasons in the prairies, Grimwood is very familiar with British Columbia and, in particular, the B.C. Hockey League. Grimwood spent two seasons at the helm of the South Island Royals of the B.C. Major Midget League while also working with the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League in those two seasons.
Before that, Grimwood was an assistant coach with the BCHL’s Powell River Kings from 2010 to 2012, helping guide the team to consecutive Coastal Conference championships.
In his playing days, the Victoria native suited up for the Victoria Salsa from 1998 to 2000 before attending Red Deer College for three seasons and transitioning into the coaching side of the game.
“I am honoured to be joining the West Kelowna Warriors,” said Grimwood. “I have known (Warriors head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster) for quite a few years now and am very excited to work with him and the entire Warriors staff.”
Ferster knows adding the experience that Grimwood possesses will only benefit the club.
“I have known Geoff for over 10 years and have always had a ton of respect in the way he carried himself,” said the Warriors’ bench boss. “We would talk philosophy and exchange ideas from time to time.”
In addition, the Warriors announced the return of Matt Miller to the coaching staff for the 2018-19 season. Miller will enter his third season with the club, handling the video coach role and helping out behind the bench.
“To be able to add a person in Geoff who has been a head coach the last three years is outstanding,” said Ferster. “I’m really looking forward to being able to work together now. And having Matt back on our staff this season, it makes for a great fit.”
The 2018-19 regular-season schedule is now available on the Warriors’ website.
The home opener at Royal LePage Place is set for Saturday, Sept. 8 against the Trail Smoke Eaters.