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Castlegar Rebels’ coach resigns

Castlegar Rebels coach Steve Junker resigned on Tuesday, handing over command of the Rebel crew to Jesse Dorrans.

Castlegar Rebels coach Steve Junker resigned on Tuesday, handing over command of the Rebel crew to Jesse Dorrans.

Junker left the team in order to pursue a new career outside of hockey, with a local firm, reported the Castlegar News.

Dorrans, the former assistant coach, will take over as head coach immediately and will be behind the bench when the Castlegar Rebels open their season in September at the Castlegar Community Complex, announced Castlegar Rebel President Jim Craig in a release.

“Our organization would like to thank Steve Junker for the commitment, time, and dedication he has given to the Rebels over the past three seasons, and wish him all the best in his new career.

“Steve, in his three seasons with the Rebels, established himself as one of the premier coaches in our league, with a record of 114 wins, 30 losses, 7 ties, with two league championship appearances. The crowning accomplishment was, of course, the KIJHL League Championship win in the past season. That’s a record of which Steve and our organization can be proud of.

“Appointing Jessie Dorrans as head coach of the Castlegar Rebels, allows us to continue what we have begun within our organization. Jesse has a proven track record of recruiting and developing KIJHL players and his close association with Steve and his past coaching experience will serve him well in his new challenge.”

Dorrans was assistant coach of the Rebels for the past three years. Prior to that, he was head coach for the Grand Forks Border Bruins and an assistant coach with the Rebels for two years during Brent Heaven’s tenure.

“I am looking forward to my new opportunity as head coach of the Castlegar Rebels,” said Dorrans.

“While our goal is to graduate as many of our players to higher levels of hockey we should have a good core of returning players next season which will allow us to compete at a high level again,