Coach decides to Chill out
A.J. Degenhardt is leaving his position as coach-general manager of the Coulee Region Chill of the North American Hockey League effective the end of the 2015-2016 campaign.
In a move that had been rumoured for months, Degenhardt has accepted a job with his previous AAA hockey program, Team Illinois, for the 2016-2017 season.
“From day one I’ve been committed to making the Chill a successful program and am extremely proud of our accomplishments,” Degenhardt said. “I’m excited about working with the Team Illinois group again and helping those young players achieve their dream of playing juniors and college hockey. My focus right now is to have the Chill make the playoffs and continue to advance our players to the college level.”
Chill owner Michelle Bryant — who also owns the La Crosse Freeze and Euless Jr. Stars, both of the lower-level, North American 3 Hockey League — said she supports Degenhardt’s decision.
“It is something that is best for A.J. and his family and we support his decision,” said Bryant, who is known as one of the more-savvy and business-wise owners in junior hockey. “He has developed our team to a point where NCAA commitments and winning are the expectation.”
Under Degenhardt, who is in his fourth season with the Chill — it’s his third full campaign — Coulee Region has compiled a record of 85-72-10, which includes a 26-21-0 mark thus far this season.
Coulee Region is currently in fifth place in the six-team Midwest Division of the NAHL.