Clan chief Chalmers reveals ‘pain’ of Finnerty axe

BRAEHEAD Clan director Gareth Chalmers has paid tribute to departing head coach Ryan Finnerty.

Less than 24 hours after the Glasgow side were dumped out of the Elite League play-off quarterfinals 6-1 on aggregate by Dundee Stars, the axe fell on Clan’s longest serving coach.

Bosses acted swiftly despite hopes from Finnerty that he’d done enough during his time in Scotland to earn another deal.

However, just a few days on from that announcement, hockey and operations director Chalmers has spoken out over what was a painful decision.

He said: “We’ve had four good years with Ryan at the helm, our first POFW appearance, three Gardiner Conference titles, runners up i n the EIHL and Champions Hockey League qualification.

“Who remembers that superb trip to Ingolstadt and being up 1-0 to a DEL club on the road. Then that outstanding night at Braehead where we saw off Ingolstadt 6-4 – it’s one I am sure none of us will ever forget.

“From day one Ryan has been a credit to this organisation, it hurts that we collectively haven’t been able to deliver the silverware he and everyone associated with the club now deserves.

“However, these difficult decisions sometimes have to be made.”

Chalmers and Finnerty formed a special partnership after the pair joined the organisation back in 2013, and it is this bond which made the last few days all the harder to take.

“The club was in some turmoil when he arrived,” explained Chalmers. “The organisation had come off an eighth-place finish and had come through a difficult year on and off the ice.

“Myself and Ryan have had our ups and downs over the past four years, we haven’t always agreed on everything, but ultimately we both have wanted the best for this great hockey club.”