Nelson Junior Leafs head coach and general manager Chris Shaw can head into the playoffs knowing his job is secure regardless of the outcome.
Leafs president Russell Stocks announced Monday afternoon that the team has signed the first-year bench boss to another Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season.
“Chris, in his rookie season as a head coach and GM with the Leafs has lived up to, and in some cases surpassed our expectations in many aspects of his position,” Stocks said. “It was quite an easy decision to have him back next year.”
Shaw took over from Simon Wheeldon, who guided the Leafs to unprecedented success in his five seasons as head coach/GM. Inheriting a young team, Shaw has been able to make the Leafs competitive in the strong Neil Murdoch Division.
“Chris has demonstrated that he has the ability to grow, adapt and move forward,” Stocks said. “Ultimately he brought this team made up of over 75 per cent rookies to a better than .500 record after starting the season with four straight losses. That is no small accomplishment, and Chris should be very proud.
“With this behind him, Chris can now focus on preparing for what we expect to be a long playoff run.”
The Leafs finish the regular season this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Creston Valley Thunder. With third place in the Murdoch Division secure, the Leafs will take on the Beaver Valley Nitehawks in the first round of the playoffs starting next week.