In a shocking move Tuesday morning, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons announced that they have parted ways with Head Coach and General Manager Bob Beatty.
“This decision was very difficult and wasn’t made lightly,” said Oil Barons President David Fitzgerald. “Bob is a great person and quickly stepped up last summer when our organization was in need of a Head Coach and General Manager.”
Beatty was in his first season with the team after being named the Head Coach in August after Dave Dupas stepped down and Tom Keca was let go at the end of last season.
It’s been a bit of a revolving door behind the bench in the last year but the club hopes the future is bright. Assistant Coaches Mike Brodeur and Justin Rose will take over the coaching duties on an interim basis.
“Moving forward it was felt that a change in direction and voice is needed,” said Fitzgerald. “On behalf of our organization, I want to thank Bob for his commitment and dedication. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
It has been an up and down season to say the least for the MOB. The club sits in 7th place in the North Division with a 15-27-2 record and are currently riding a four game losing streak.
The team Beatty inherited at the start of the season has changed drastically throughout the year, moving on from several players who didn’t represent what it meant to be an Oil Baron or who were affecting the culture of the dressing room.
Beatty, a veteran coach of over 20 years of Jr. A experience seemed to be trying to send the organization in a different direction and build a culture in what was clearly a rebuilding team. He brought in a lot of young talent that will set the team up nicely for the future. Goalies Evan Fradette and Cameron Beson, hulking blueliners Taige Harding, Lucas Jones and Riley Bodnarchuk as well as bringing in Kabore Dunn who recently committed to the University of Maine and is a prospect for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Up front the team has the highly skilled acquisitions of 18 year olds Josh Zinger and Ethan Jones as well as the signings of 17 year olds Tyler Wallace and Sheldon Kwiatkowski.
Beatty made several moves ahead of the January 10th CJHL Trade Deadline that will be potentially bringing in more young pieces next season as he moved 20 year olds Chris Curr, Ty Budai and Reece Klassen in exchange for future considerations.
The veteran coach was building ‘His Team’ but the Oil Barons have decided to not see it play out under his guidance.
