The Estevan Bruins decided to go with youth and potential in selecting their new head coach and general manager.
The team announced Monday it had dipped into the Junior B ranks to choose Chris Lewgood as their new bench boss.
Lewgood, 31, has been the head coach of the Pilot Butte Storm of the Prairie Junior Hockey League for the last six years, including the last four as general manager.
The Regina native led the Storm to three PJHL championships, in 2008, 2011 and 2012, and won two more in three years as an assistant coach before that.
"Chris just brought a good combination of assets to the table. There are just so many different aspects to look at when you're the coach and GM of a junior hockey club.
Every area that we highlighted, Chris (met the expectations)," said Bruins president Jeff Pierson.
"Just by Chris's previous record and the way he ran that Junior B franchise, it just showed us that he was the guy we were looking for."
Lewgood has never coached at the Junior A level.
"I am an open-minded coach. I'm an analytical coach. I like to analyze the situation and try to react, more so than put a plan in place (and stick to it). I think in this day and age, opponents are so strong in reacting that (you have to make adjustments)," Lewgood told The Mercury.
"I'm a coach that believes in discipline, hard work and accountability."
Pierson added that he sees the new bench boss as a player's coach.
"He's a guy that demands a high standard, but is also going to be fair and give each guy a chance to prove himself."
Lewgood's hiring ends a two-month coaching search that began with the dismissal of Keith Cassidy on March 28.
Pierson said he's not concerned about hiring a Junior B coach to run a team with enormous pressure to win after last year's disappointing season.
"No matter who the next coach was, obviously there's pressure on him. I don't think it matters where he came from. One thing's for certain, Chris is very aware of it and certainly very excited about the challenge," said Pierson.
"You need to be able to do both (head coach and GM). With his track record of doing both those, it certainly boded very well for Chris. The results were there."
Lewgood said he has become familiar with the SJHL through the job in Pilot Butte, despite never having coached in the league.
"In my position in Junior B, it was important for us to understand the Junior A level very well. The Bruins, being one of the closest teams, we had a good working relationship with the team in the past. I've gotten to know their roster fairly well," he said.
"I think there are a lot of good elements in place. I think the Bruins are a team that's close and I look forward to visiting with the executive and current staff members and putting a plan into action. I think the team is close. Maybe some adjustments to the way we do things is important. We'll have a little better plan in place once we've met with players and staff. I think it's a matter of executing and being diligent."
Lewgood, who said the Storm "relied on connections all across Canada and into the U.S. through our success," added that he's looking forward to making the transition to Junior A.
"That's the number one thing that comes to mind is how excited I am at the new challenge. I'm excited to grow as a coach."
Goaltender Travis Pelletier, who spent time with both the Bruins and the Storm last season, spoke highly of Lewgood.
"Chris is a good head coach. I really enjoyed when I got the chance to play for him (last) year. He does a real good job with his players and always helped us out whenever we needed him.
"He's really good with the systems, drawing up the play on the board, and he was calm on the bench. He's a good motivator and we'd get really pumped up before we go out (on the ice).
"He always (made) sure we have that positive attitude each game and that's why we were successful."
Although the timing of the hiring doesn't leave much time before player cards are issued, Lewgood plans to hit the ground running for the recruiting season.
"We have to get our butts off the couches and meet some players and make sure they understand that we plan on winning. There are some key guys we need to talk to and make sure they know that," he said.
