The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club is proud to announce that Peter Schaefer will be returning behind the bench for the 2018-19 BCHL season as an assistant coach. Schaefer served as the team’s head coach and general manager during the 2013-14 season, and was also an assistant coach for one season before that. He joins head coach Brandon West‘s staff alongside assistant coach Linden Saip.
During 2013-14, Schaefer led the Eagles to a 53-point, 25-30-1-2 season, powered by star forward Danton Heinen. The team finished fourth in the Mainland Division and earned a playoff berth.
“You can’t not appreciate Peter’s playing experience and we’ve seen that he’s a great instructor, as well,” general manager Blaine Neufeld told the Peace Arch News about the hiring. “We hope he can share his experience and expertise with our boys.”
“[Owner Chuck Westgard] has obviously kept that relationship and that allowed us to approach Peter this summer to see if there was any interest,” Neufeld explained. “And the response was that he was eager to do it, so that was exciting for our group.”
Schaefer, a native of Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, suited up for the Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, and Boston Bruins in his NHL playing career. He recorded a total of 572 games, scoring 99 goals and added 162 assists.
The Eagles will be hitting the ice on August 20th for training camp, with exhibition dates to be announced soon. 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!
Stay tuned to SurreyEagles.ca for more news and information as the summer continues.
