Matt Hughes picked as man to lead Leafs
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Matt Hughes formerly of Kamloops is the new skipper of the Good Ship Leafs.
Hughes was officially welcomed to the position today by Nelson interim society president Larry Martel.
“All his references spoke very highly of Matt and said we would be foolish not to hire him as coach,” Martel told The Nelson Daily.
Hughes, originally from Kamloops, comes to the Heritage City franchise from the Okanagan Hockey School.
Hughes also was coach of Dawson Creek of the North American Hockey League where he coached former Leaf Troy Petrich, Grande Prairie of the Alberta Hockey League and was coach of the year when he skippered Columbia Valley Rockies of the Kootenay International Junior League.
Hughes, who also assumes the general manager duties with the Leafs, will begin work on the job in the next few weeks.
Leafs find coach to replace Frank Maida
The Nelson Leafs have found their man to replace former coach Frank Maida.
Leafs interim society president Larry Martel told The Nelson Daily Thursday morning the unanimous decision was made during a board meeting Wednesday evening.
“There were 28 very good candidates from all over North America that applied,” Martel said. “We interviewed eight the committee felt were the very best.
“At the May 21 board meeting the committee made the recommendation and th board approved the coach selection for 2014.”
Martel said he is trying to get in contact with the successful candidate today before making the official announcement.
“The level of coaches applying was very high and the choice wasn’t an easy one but in the end the final choice was unanimous.”
The Nelson Leafs completed a successful 2013-14 campaign which the club hosted the Cyclone Taylor Cup.
