Ferster returns to the bench

Photo: Contributed

Former West Kelowna Warriors head coach Rylan Ferster is returning to his roots.

The Saskatchewan native has taken a position as co-coach of the Kindersley Klippers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

He took the position after head coach Garry Childerhorse was forced to leave the team with health issues.

Ferster will assist Larry Wintoneak on an interim basis until Childerhorse is able to return.

He said Wintoneak is one of his best friends and, when he asked Ferster if he could lend a hand, he jumped at the chance.

"Larry and I spent two years working with Hockey Canada at the WJAC and we share many of the same philosophies," said Ferster.

Ferster, who grew up in Prince Albert, played two seasons of junior hockey in Nipiwan before joining the Vernon Lakers, where he won a national championship.

He spent seven seasons as coach and GM of the West Kelowna Warriors before leaving prior to the start of last season.

Ironically, Ferster's replacement with the Warriors, Geoff Grimwood, stepped down as head coach In Kindersley before accepting what was, at the time, an assistant coaching job with the Warriors.