New Focus – New Coach

Buying into any hockey franchise isn’t a cheap venture for anyone, unless you have money to burn and you have no real value for anything or anyone.

In British Columbia there are three Junior B hockey leagues, one in the Interior called the Kootenay International, one in the lower mainland called the Pacific Junior and one on Vancouver Island called the Vancouver Island JHL

In Nanaimo the team is owned by Phil & Brenda Levesque are the owners of the  Franchise named the Nanaimo Buccaneers, which was established in 2012.

The Buccaneers name has a history in Nanaimo and naturally was a solid choice for the new team or franchise.

The North Division of the VIJHL are made up of the Campbell River Storm, Comox Valley Glacier Kings and the Oceanside Generals, the Buccaneers, who recently hired a new coach.

Derek Bachynski bring his skill to Nanaimo and is the former Assistant Coach of the Powell River Kings for the past two seasons, who worked under Kent Lewis, who is well known for his hockey knowledge.

This past season he was also the Head Coach of the Midget Rep team and the Head Instructor of the Minor Hockey Development Program in the area.

His prior involvement in coaching was with several minor hockey organizations and junior levels, including the Ohio University Bobcats in 2010/2011 where the team won the CSCHL Conference Playoff Championship.
He played in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League before his four years of collegiate hockey at Wayne State University, plus he had a year of professional hockey in Holland.

Following his playing career he received a M.S. in Coaching Education from Ohio University while being a Graduate Assistant for their Learn to Play Hockey Program.

The Buccaneers appreciate the hard work done by Brad Knight for the past two seasons and earlier he (Brad) mentioned he planned to pursue other business opportunities.

The Buccaneers will always be grateful to Brad for his help during the first two years in the history of the franchise and all steps taken led to success both on and off the ice.

Glen Smith will continue to work with the team as General Manager and further details regarding Assistant Coaches will be forthcoming.

Derek’s can be seen at the Spring Prospects Camp, May 23-25 at Cliff McNabb Arena, so drop by and welcome him to the area.

I am told that the Buccaneers play all 24 home games (mostly Thursday) at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Face-off is set for 7:15