There'll be a new coach on the bench for the Lake Cowichan Kraken this season as James Gaertner and the team have parted ways following the VIJHL's move to leave Hockey Canada.
Gaertner's day job included working with a Canadian Sport School Hockey League team and because that league is still under the Hockey Canada umbrella, Gaertner was forced to choose.
A new head coach won't be the only change the Kraken will see. A high player turnover rate and new roster additions are par for the junior A course as players move on to higher levels of hockey, college or university, or leave the sport altogether. To that end, the Kraken have confirmed that billets are still needed for incoming hockey players who will be selected to compete with the Lake Cowichan Kraken this coming fall. Kraken brass noted last week that the team requires roughly five more billet families to host players during the 2024-25 season.
With no rep hockey league in Lake Cowichan from which to draw players, many players that make the official roster need to move into the area from elsewhere on the Island, the province, the U.S., and now that the VIJHL has left Hockey Canada, from even further afield. As such, they need a place to stay and even a surrogate family — a home away from home.
Aside from a great experience, billet families receive two season tickets to the Kraken as well as a $700 stipend for costs related to their player.
Those who are considering opening their home to a hockey player from out of town please email lckrakenbillet@hotmail.com