Rebels name new Head Coach and General Manager
By Contributor
The Castlegar Rebels are pleased to announce that Bill Rotheisler has been named Head Coach and General Manager.
Rotheisler, who worked as an Associate Coach with the KIJHL’s Creston Valley ThunderCats last season, brings an impressive junior hockey resume to the Rebels. He’s served as Head Coach and General Manager of the KIJHL’s Princeton Posse and the VIJHL’s Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Prior to that, he spent a number of years at the prep level with the Okanagan Hockey Academy and the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy.
In 2011, he served as an assistant coach with the Team Pacific squad that captured a bronze medal at the IIHF U-17 World Championships in Winnipeg.
Rebels President, Mike Johnstone says, “Bill’s experience as a Head Coach and General Manager at the junior level was very appealing to our hockey club. His expanded background working with players in the Academy programs, is a valuable asset as well. We believe that kind of structure and framework will have a huge impact on our young players.” Johnstone added, “Bill’s experience and expertise fits well with our goal of continuing to build a program of hard work and success, a culture that everyone here in Castlegar can be proud of.”
Rotheisler is the successor to former Head Coach and General Manager, Jesse Dorrans, who accepted the same position with the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, earlier this offseason.
“I’m incredibly proud and appreciative to be a Rebel. The Rebels organization has shown that they have the ability to win, and have a long term vision for this club that we are thoroughly in harmony on. I’m excited to meld any individual vision and motives into that as well. Our next step is to touch base with players, staff and anybody who has brushed with the organization to establish what has worked and what unconditionally fits into our vision for the Rebel culture, and where we need to continue to grow and be better,” says Rotheisler. “I would like to thank Mike Johnstone and the board for trusting that I’m their guy, and giving me the opportunity to prove to them and the city of Castlegar, that I can be a big part of a growing legacy here.”
Rotheisler will be behind the Rebels bench when the puck drops on a new season, Friday, Sept. 9.
