The Castlegar Rebels Hockey Club today announced that Jesse Dorrans has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the Castlegar Rebels. Dorrans takes over as Head Coach of the Rebels with the resignation of Steve Junker; who resigned effective April 30, in order to pursue a new career, outside of hockey, with a local firm.
Jesse Dorrans 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.
In making the announcement Castlegar Rebel President, Jim Craig, made the following statement.
“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 stated:
“I am looking forward to my new opportunity as Head Coach of the Castlegar Rebels. 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. This is a group of players that are passionate, dedicated and hard working. Additionally, based on what I saw this past season, we should have a lot of character and leadership in the locker room. I am committed to helping all of our players develop as hockey players and as young men. Our coaching staff is looking forward to continuing our winning tradition here in Castlegar.”
Dorrans has previously served as the Assistant Coach of the Rebels for the past three years. Prior to that, Dorrans was a Head Coach for the Grand Forks Border Bruins and an Assistant Coach with the Rebels for two years during Brent Heaven’s tenure with the Rebels.