The Surrey Eagles hockey club is announcing a change behind the bench for the 2018-19 BCHL season, as Peter Schaefer will immediately take over as head coach. Brandon West is stepping down and has mutually agreed to part ways with the team.
Schaefer was previously the head coach of the Eagles for the 2013-14 season after serving as an assistant coach before that. He is a veteran of 13 professional hockey seasons during his playing career, which included 572 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins.
“We’re very excited about this year’s group of players, and we’re confident moving forward with Peter Schaefer in charge,” said Eagles general manager Blaine Neufeld about the coaching change. “We want to thank Brandon West for what he accomplished while with the Eagles. He’s a very passionate coach, and he will certainly find another opportunity quickly.”
West will be stepping away from the organization because of personal reasons. He led the Eagles to a 26-22-8 record last season and a first round playoff victory over the Langley Rivermen. The entire team thanks him for his time in Surrey, and wishes him nothing but the best in his future in hockey.
Neufeld also mentioned that the team is actively looking to compliment Schaefer with another BCHL-experienced assistant coach.
The Eagles have two more pre-season games remaining before the 2018-19 BCHL season begins. The season officially kicks off on September 7th at home against the Coquitlam Express. Season tickets and special 5-game ticket packs are available now.
