The Lloydminster Bobcats have announced that Head Coach and General Manager, Gord Thibodeau, is moving on.
Citing a number of factors, not the least of which being his recent health concerns, having been re-diagnosed with cancer, the acclaimed AJHL coach is stepping down.
However, Thibodeau isn’t leaving his current position without future plans; he is going to pursue an opportunity as Vice President of Hockey Operations, Head Coach, and General Manager of the Whitecourt Wolverines.
Thibodeau has been highly successful in his two-decade career coaching in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). In order to leave, he will now exercise an opt-out clause at the end of the second year on his contract with the Bobcats to pursue this opportunity that better fits his family’s current needs.
The team says it’s not the news it would have liked to share but understands the position that Thibodeau has found himself in. The organization wishes him success in Whitecourt and expresses their appreciation for all Thibodeau did for the team over the past two years, including but not limited to leading the team to the RBC Cup finals this past spring.
There will be no coaching vacancy as Paradise Hill’s Travis Clayton will be assuming the role of Head Coach and General Manager of the Jr. A Bobcats, while the Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager role will be filled in the near future.