The Kindersley Jr. Klippers have filled a pair of vacancies behind their bench ahead of the upcoming season.
The team announced two hirings on Friday, Ben Marshall as assistant coach, and Jayden Villafane as the new athletic therapist/equipment manager, after the organization began their search around the start of June following the departures of previous assistant coach Tyler Traptow, and athletic therapist Cheyenne Epp.
Klippers head coach and GM Clayton Jardine wanted to take his time and find the right candidates and had nothing but high praise for the two new staff members that he feels can help take the team to the next level.
“Completing the staff is exciting for the whole organization. It was a great process to go through and find the right individuals for the job, and I am confident in the choices. We are a development league, and we want to see our players ready for the next level."
While team success is paramount, you can't accomplish it without getting everything out of your players. Developing players for the next level is one of the main goals for Jardine as a coach, and he feels that the new additions compliment that aim nicely.
"Both Jayden and Ben understand that. Our players are going to continue to develop at a high level on and off the ice through video, workouts, rehab, community involvement, and competitive gameplay. We have come a long way in two years as a program, but I am excited to see where we can go from here.”
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The team shared a bit more about each new staff member upon the announcement, starting with Marshall who has previous junior and pro hockey experience.
He spent the last two years in the KIJHL with the Sicamous Eagles, but before that, the Ontario native was with the Vienna Capitals in Austria. Getting into coaching because of his dad, Marshall is all about the development of players and feels his mindset will mesh well in Kindersley.
“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to work with such a great organization like the Kindersley Klippers and very excited to work with Clayton this upcoming season.” he shared in the team statement.
Moving to Villafane, the Vancouver Island University Graduate comes to the Klippers from the Port Alberni Bombers of the VIJHL, also his hometown. In addition to hockey Villifane also worked at a sports injury clinic in the Port Alberni area. A former player himself, Villifane maintained a role in the sport by becoming an Athletic Therapist and takes pride in helping athletes feel 100 per cent.
“The Klippers organization is one that prides itself on the development of its players and staff and one that I knew would be a great fit for me. I am excited to get out to Kindersley and be a part of such a highly regarded organization and contribute to the future success of the Klippers.”
Jardine said that Villafane's passion for player stood out the most.
"He views his job on a day-to-day basis as making sure every single player has what they need to be at the top of their game. Everyone I spoke to about Jayden raved about his ability to connect with players and put the team and individual first. His past employers spoke to his character and commitment to hard work, and I couldn’t be more excited to add Jayden to the group.”
In other SJHL related coaching moves, Macklin's Tye Scherger was hired by the WHL's Saskatoon Blades as an assistant coach last week.
Scherger spent the last few seasons under CJHL Coach of the Year Trevor Blevins with the Melfort Mustangs where they helped guide the team to back-to-back SJHL titles, and finish as back-to-back runners up for the Centennial Cup national championship.