Keyano College has hired former head coach and general manager of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons as the school looks to re-establish its hockey program.

Tom Keca is bringing his extensive coaching resume to the Huskies to build a men’s and women’s hockey program from the ground up.

“His passion for hockey and for the community is a huge benefit, and his hiring represents a giant leap forward in our effort to bring hockey back to Keyano,” said Jonathan Lambert, Director of Athletics, Sport and Student Wellness, in a statement.

Keyano cut their men’s team in April 2016 after it was no longer deemed sustainable after just four season.

In an interview last week, Lambert told Mix News because of the backlash from the community, the athletic department has been looking at bringing the program back ever since.

“It was loud and clear, it’s been that way for the past couple of years since we cut the program, that the community wants to have this level of hockey in the community.”

Keyano says one of Keca’s first priorities will be to assist putting together an application to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, which must be submitted by November.

He will also be in charge of recruiting and working to repair community relationships that were affected when the Huskies program was cut.

“I know the College wants to build a sustainable program, but as part of that, we’ll have to convince the community that we’re here for the long haul,” said Keca.

The hope is to ice a team for the 2020-21 season.