Image credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea

By Marty Hastings

ANDREW FISHER ERA

Kamloops Storm react to mid-season coaching change

Nov 18, 2024 | 7:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Andrew Fisher has taken the reins of the Kamloops Storm, assuming head coaching duties after the departure of former bench boss Jan Ludvig, who resigned earlier this month.

“It definitely wasn’t something we were expecting, but I think it’s kind of worked out good,” overage Storm forward Ryan Larsen said. “Fish has done a really good job taking over and we’ve had Jassi [Sangha] and Harrison [Ewert] come in as assistant coaches, which has been good.

“Fish is a little bit more strict, but I think that’s something we need, especially with a really young group. With Jan leaving, it’s not something we were planning, but there are some things that are bigger than hockey and we wish him all the best.”

Fisher was a longtime assistant coach for the Storm prior to taking over as head coach on Nov. 4, learning alongside predecessors Ludvig, Sangha, Geoff Grimwood and Steve Gainey.

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“He’s been with our club for seven years,” Storm general manager Matt Kolle said. “In Jan’s tenure, Fish has been extremely involved. Andrew’s going to bring his breath of fresh air to the club. We need to work on the details and habits and really bring it together on the back end of our club. Andrew has a good handle on that.”

Kolle said Fisher asked for increased resources when he took the job.

The GM said he answered by bringing in former Storm head coach Ed Patterson, who helped implement systems tailored for success on the Olympic-size surface at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, the club’s home rink.

Fisher said the promotion means more pre-game preparation, video study, practise planning and evaluation, but it won’t change the way he interacts with players.

“I think we’ll try to keep it as similar as possible,” Fisher said. “I’ve got a certain style of how I want to relate to these guys. I always tell them the door is always open. They might not like to hear some of the things I have to say, but they’re welcome to bring any concerns they have. I want to be there for them not only as hockey players, but as people outside of the rink.”

Kolle said his thoughts are with Ludvig, who cited personal reasons for his departure and has flown to Czechia to be with family.

“Unexpected to us, but at the same time, being a friend of Jan’s as well, we’ve known his parents are getting older and something could happen – and it did,” Kolle said. “We totally understand the situation. We’re going to support Jan in any way we can.”

Fisher, who began his tenure as head coach with three consecutive victories, endured a jarring first brush with defeat – a 7-0 loss to the league-leading Princeton Posse on Saturday (Nov. 16) on Mac Isle.

“It’s sort of a helpless feeling a little bit,” Fisher said. “It’s unfortunate it was a parents’ weekend and the best team in the league was coming to town when we maybe weren’t quite ready to go off the hop and we paid for it. We got some ugly bounces later. Just one of those nights.”

Kamloops, which has 10 wins, nine losses and one overtime defeat on its record this season, will square off against the Columbia Valley Rockies (11-8-0-0) on Friday (Nov. 22) in Invermere.

“I think the guys have bought into the few changes we’re making,” Fisher said. “That’s encouraging to see.”