Barrie Colts' Associate Coach Drake Berehowsky has accepted an Assistant Coaching position with the AHL's Peoria Rivermen.
Story courtesy of www.thebarrieexaminer.com
Posted By IAN SHANTZ
Motivated solely by professional aspirations, Drake Berehowsky has left his position as associate coach with the Barrie Colts.
Two years after joining the OHL team, the Toronto native's departure comes as a surprise. He's taken an assistant coaching gig with the Peoria Rivermen, the American Hockey League affiliate of the St. Louis Blues.
"My end goal is to be a head coach somewhere," the former NHLer said yesterday. "It was a hard decision to make ... but it's a great league. I think it's a step up."
Berehowsky's primary role with the Colts was to work with the team's defencemen. The former NHL blue-liner said leaving the OHL -- a league he joined when the Kingston Raiders drafted him first overall in 1988 -- was a difficult decision.
Leaving the Colts -- a team he played for in its Jr. 'B' days-- will be the toughest of all.
"I love the team, I love the city, and I love the people in Barrie," Berehowsky said. "I have not one bad word to say. The guys are awesome."
In Peoria, Ill., located between Chicago and St. Louis, Berehowsky will work under head coach Davis Payne in a two-coach setup.
Berehowsky, a first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1990, spent six seasons playing in the AHL.
"It will be a learning process. You're involved with the pro game now," he said, adding his wife, Lori, and their five children -- all under five years old -- will leave for Peoria, with coaches meetings beginning next week.
His decision to leave the Barrie organization leaves the Colts with two assistant coaching roles to fill as the team's main training camp approaches. On-ice sessions start Aug. 24.
Former NHLer Jeff Beukeboom left the team in June to take a similar job with the Sudbury Wolves after just one season as an assistant in Barrie.
"I think both holes will be filled in the next week or so," said Barrie head coach Marty Williamson, who is part of the team's management-by-committee group.
"I have some quality people in the stable that I think will be great fits," said Williamson.
"I just want to make sure it's absolutely going to be the right fit."
Williamson said he wishes nothing but the best for Berehowsky moving forward.
"I couldn't wish it upon a better guy," the coach said. "It's a good opportunity for him."
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