The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s Chase Heat have named Kyle Evans as their new Head Coach and General Manager, the club announced Tuesday.
Evans joins the Heat following a successful year with the VIJHL’s Campbell River Storm, who he led to a first place finish with a record of 36-10-1-1 during the 2023/24 season. Prior to his time in Campbell River, Evans served as the Head Coach of the North Island Silvertips U18 AAA team, as well as an assistant coach with the BCHL’s Cowichan Valley Capitals and the VIJHL’s Saanich Predators.
“The Heat are very excited to have Kyle join us in the role of Head Coach and General Manager,” says Chase Heat president Darryl Adamson. “Kyle is bringing a winning culture and a positive outlook to our player development, which should help our club change direction in the upcoming season. We cannot wait to get this season going.”
Evans will start in his new role immediately and look to solidify a young, talented roster that loses just a pair of graduating 20-year olds.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to join the Heat organization and become part of the Chase community,” says Evans. “I’m excited to create a family-like environment where our players can develop themselves for higher levels of hockey. Our program will be built around competition and hard work, with players who are excited to improve themselves every day. Off the ice, you can expect a group that will be working hard to integrate themselves within the community.”
Evans says there are many reasons why Heat fans should expect success in 2024/25 and beyond following a fourth place finish in the Doug Birks division.
“It was clear after our initial conversations that the organization was committed to improving the program and providing the resources necessary for our players and staff to develop,” he says. “I believe this program has a lot of foundational pieces in place that you see in successful programs. There’s a lot of passion that exists within the community for the Heat, and I’m honoured to get to help build a program the community will be proud of. I’m excited to get to work and start building towards our vision of making Chase a hockey destination.”
The Heat will make further announcements regarding preparations for the upcoming season, including main camp dates and registration info, in the coming weeks.
