The Northern Manitoba Blizzard are in the market for a new head coach and a new assistant coach, which of course means that Blizzard Head Coach Eric Labrosse and Assistant Coach P.A. Deslaurier are moving on to pursue other opportunities.
The announcement came on May 24, just days after the Blizzard had competed in the Centennial Cup in Calgary.
Though it may come as a stunner to fans, it probably shouldn’t. Labrosse guided two young teams to a pair of outstanding seasons – making it to the MJHL final four last season, and winning it all this season.
It’s not public where either Labrosse or Deslaurier will end up for the coming year, and that won’t be known until early June.
The Blizzard owners wished both men the best, praising them for their efforts over two seasons in an announcement on their website.
“Two years ago they came to the club, in the middle of the team negotiating a new venue service agreement, a complete organizational restructure, and a fresh rebuild. Through all the challenges, they were able to take the club into Game 7 of the semifinals of the Turnbull Cup Playoffs in 23/24, then a League Championship and Centennial Cup birth in 24/25.