The Comox Valley Glacier Kings have announced that Head Coach & General Manager Jeff Dubois is departing the organization to join the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League in the role of Commissioner.
Dubois joined the Glacier Kings in October as part of an early season coaching change and led the team to a record of 9 wins, 25 losses and 2 overtime losses. The GKings showed significant improvement over the second half of the season, snapping a long losing streak that stretched back to December 2018 and ultimately winning six of their last 12 regular season games, including a 2-1 win over the Westshore Wolves in their season finale on Saturday.
“I can’t say enough good things about the Glacier Kings organization and how much I’ve enjoyed my time here over the past five months,” says Dubois. “Our players refused to quit even at points in the season where it felt like all the bounces were going against us. Their hard work allowed us to have a strong second half and make a real push for a playoff spot. There is a strong returning core in place now and I’m confident they’re just getting started. I’d like to thank Dave Webb, Marsha Webb and Iris Churchill for the opportunity to be a Glacier King. They’re committed to putting a great program on the ice and the future is very bright.”
While the Glacier Kings failed to make the postseason for the third consecutive season, there were a number of positive accomplishments as the season wound down. They beat their Northern Division rivals from Campbell River in their last two meetings, including a 4-0 win on Family Day that marked their first shutout since November 7, 2015. Jake Bennett was one of the league’s top goaltenders following an October trade from the Golden Rockets and was named to the VIJHL All-Star Team, and second-year players Boden Davis and Matthew Teasdale both made their BCHL debuts with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on February 22nd.
“On behalf of the Glacier Kings organization we wish to congratulate Jeff on this recent job opportunity,” say Glacier Kings owners Dave Webb, Marsha Webb and Iris Churchill. “We know he will tackle this new venture with the same passion, commitment and dedication he displayed as part of the Glacier Kings team. He will quickly establish himself as a valued employee in his new role. Working alongside Jeff has been an honor and privilege, and we know he will continue to succeed in this new phase of his professional career. Having Jeff as part of our organization for the past 5 months has been a great motivating experience. While we will miss working side-by-side with him, we are very happy for him as he transitions to a new career opportunity. Jeff has always been a hard worker and a terrific team leader. We wish Jeff only the best of success in this opportunity.”