Lakehead University and the Thunderwolves Hockey program announced, today, that Joel Scherban has been replaced as Head Coach of the Thunderwolves Hockey team.
Wolves Assistant Coach Mike Busniuk has been named as the teams Interim Head Coach, effective immediately.
The Lakehead Thunderwolves Board of Directors decided that a change was necessary if the team was to achieve its goals for this season.
In his three-plus seasons behind the bench, Scherban led the Wolves to a record of 81-49, including an OUA West Division title and an appearance in the Queens Cup Championship in his first year as Head Coach.
Tom Warden, Lakehead University Director of Athletics, holds Scherban in the highest esteem. Our respect for Joel runs deep, especially given his achievements and contributions to our team, Warden said. We wish him continued success.
As a player, Scherban won the Sullivan Trophy as the top player in CIS hockey in 2004-05, and won the RBC OUA Top Student Athlete Award in 2005-06. He was a CIS First Team All-Canadian, two-time CIS and OUA Most Sportsmanlike player, a five-time OUA First Team All-Star, and OUA MVP. Scherban is also the Thunderwolves all-time leading scorer.
Rory Cava, President of Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey, has the utmost respect for Scherban. Joels integrity, work ethic, and commitment to this program have been second to none, Cava said.
This is Busniuk's third season as the Thunderwolves Assistant Coach. A Thunder Bay native, Busniuk was an Assistant Coach in the American Hockey League for fifteen years, and was previously a Head Coach in both the Western Hockey League and the United Hockey League.
A media conference will be held at the Thunderwolves Hockey office (874 Tungsten St.) at 5:30 p.m. today.
The Thunderwolves are on the road this weekend, playing at Waterloo, Friday, and Laurier on Saturday.
Joel Scherban has issued the following statement:
"I am both surprised and disappointed that I will not be continuing in my role as Head Coach. I have worked tirelessly over the past three and a half years to help the players achieve their individual and team goals both in the classroom and on the ice.
I am proud of and will fondly remember the many accomplishments and successes that I have been a part of over the past few seasons including an OUA West Division Playoff Championship and run to the National Championship Semi-Final Game, finishing in the top three in the division every season, and seeing a record number of Academic All-Canadians in 2011-12.
I am proud to have built the 2012-13 team that currently sits in 1st place in the OUA West, is ranked in the CIS Top 10, and is a team that I firmly believe will take a run at a National Championship this season.
I would like to thank everyone I have worked with on a daily basis at Thunderwolves Hockey and Lakehead University. Your dedication and passion to Thunderwolves Hockey is truly exceptional. As well, I would like to thank all media members that I have had the opportunity to work with and get to know."
Sincerely,
Joel Scherban