The Fort McMurray Oil Barons have a new General Manager.
Joey Bouchard will join the existing coaching staff for the remainder of the season, including interim Head Coach Carter Duffin, who took over head coaching duties on January 4 after Adam Manah was relieved of his duties.
Bouchard has a wealth of Alberta Junior Hockey League experience as a Head Coach and General Manager with the Whitecourt Wolverines. Under Bouchard’s guidance, the Wolverines went 123-82-25 from 2012-16.
Bouchard also has experience at the Major Junior level, as he joined the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes for the 2016-17 season as an Assistant Coach. The Cataractes finished in top spot in the East Division that season with a 42-20-4-2 record, but were upset in the first round by Val-d’Or in six games.
After his time in the QMJHL, Bouchard joined the Drayton Valley Thunder in the AJHL as their General Manager.
The last two seasons of his hockey career saw him at Concordia University in Edmonton in the ACAC.
As a player, Bouchard played parts of three seasons at the University of Alberta-Augustana, registering 4 goals, 14 assists, and 18 points in 37 career games.
The Oil Barons continue to struggle to start the new year, having not registered a win since December 29. They are currently clinging to the 14th and final playoff spot in the AJHL as they head to Lloydminster for a weekend double-header with the Bobcats.
