Joe McWilliams
Lakeside Leader

It’s getting to be a tradition with the Slave Lake Icedogs – to change coaches over the holidays. Two years ago it was Brian Noad out and Jerry Vale in. This time, Gregg Kennedy is out and assistant coach Dave Hyrsky will be taking over as bench boss.

Hyrsky had been helping out Kennedy the past few weeks. We’ve not had a chance to interview him, but chatted briefly in the Icedogs’ dressing room before Christmas. Hyrsky said he has coached in Serbia and the Netherlands, among other locations. He’s from Sault Ste. Marie Ontario originally.

Team owner/manager Lauren Barr made the announcement of the coaching change on social media just after Christmas.

According to Elite Prospects, Hyrsky both played for and coached at Laurentian University. He has also coached junior hockey in Saskatchewan and Las Vegas.

Barr’s post goes on to say Hyrsky won a men’s world championship (Div. II) with the Serbian national team, plus silver medals with that country’s U18 and U20 teams.

There has been no word from Barr or Kennedy (we asked) as to why Kennedy’s stint with the team is over. The Icedogs, meanwhile, are scheduled to return to the ice this coming Saturday, Jan. 8, against the Northern Alberta Tomahawks.

On Dec. 29, Tyson Price was named assistant to Hyrsky.