What a day!

My phone rang at about 1:00 PM today and the number was one I didn't recognize. I answered the call and it was Alberni Valley Bulldogs' Broadcaster Evan Hammond (hammersdogs.blogspot.com/) asking me if I still had a job. I had the faintest idea what he was talking about and needed to make a phone call of my own to see if these rumours were in fact true.

I called Silverbacks' Trainer/Equipment Manager Jamie Walters and the first words out of his mouth were "yeah it's true." To my surprise both Garry and Ty Davidson had been let go and Rylan Ferster had been named the team's new General Manager and Head Coach.

I quickly headed to the Sunwave Center and sat down with 'Backs Owner Randy Williams for some clarification. Randy basically told me that he wanted to start fresh and form his own identity for the team. He also felt now was the time to act rather than wait two more months and another third of the season.

Some of the veterans were told earlier in the day but at 2:30 PM everyone on the team was informed of the decision in the locker room. Practice went from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM, instead of the regular 2:30 PM to 4:15 PM with a flood. Assistant Coach Matt Hughes ran the practice with Ferster in the midst of travelling to Salmon Arm. The ice session looked intense with a lot of body contact. A record number Silverbacks' employees stopped by during practice to also get the scoop on what was going on.

In talking with some of the players there was a lot of questions about what to expect from the new coach but for the most part the team seemed optimistic on the future ahead. For some players it is a great chance for a fresh start and a new beginning to put bad habits, both on and off the ice, behind them and seize the opportunity with a new coach who will learn everything about them from what they show here on out.

Friday's 7:00 pm game against the Vernon Vipers is sure to be an interesting one with plenty of story lines. Please join the Silverbacks broadcast at 6:45 PM as right off the top of the broadcast we will be joined by Owner Randy Williams and talk about everything that has transpired. Also later in the broadcast we will have new head coach and general manager Rylan Ferster join us. The game can be heard live online at www.sasilverbacks.com.