OLIVER PAIPOONGE -- The Kam River Fighting Walleye have fired coach Matt Valley, with no explanation other than to say they want a full-time coach behind the bench.
Valley is the only coach in the third-year team's history and was named the Superior International Junior Hockey League's coach of the year in 2021-22, leading the team to the championship final, where they lost to Red Lake.
"It was a tough decision for our organization, but we believed we had to make a decision on bringing in a full-time coach," said Fighting Walleye general manager Kevin McCallum in an email sent on Friday night.
"We couldn't be more proud of what Matt brought to our organization, both on and off the ice. His accomplishments will always be celebrated with our organization. We wish Matt well with his future."
McCallum and hockey operations advisor Vern Ray, a former SIJHL coach, will assume coaching duties while the search for full-time coach begins.
