News of Kent Lewis' sudden firing as head coach and general manager of Powell River Kings came as a shock to many in the community. Lewis spent more than two decades with the team and has served as the Kings' assistant coach, head coach and general manager over those years.
Even with nearly 700 wins and seven Coastal Conference championships in BC Hockey League play, as a coach Lewis will be remembered most for his positive relationship with his players.
A true mentor in every sense of the word, Lewis pushed young hockey players to excel in every aspect of their lives, often developing players who went on to professional hockey careers, or successful careers outside the sport.
Powell River Kings players carried a positive reputation once they left the team, and a lot of that had to do with Lewis' influence.
His brand of coaching could be referred to as a form of "tough love." He cared about the players so much that often he would come across as a drill sergeant, challenging his players to push their limits and come to the rink every day with their best game possible.
Lewis also made sure his players were heavily involved in community service and never took their positions on the team, and their place in Powell River, for granted.
With assistant coach Brock Sawyer as interim head coach, the Kings will be looking to bring in someone new as head coach and general manager. It will be an incredibly tough task to find someone who cares as much about junior hockey in Powell River as Lewis.
Powell River Kings Hockey Society president Rob Villani says firing Lewis as coach and general manager was "an incredibly difficult decision." It's only January, but that could be the understatement of the year.
With a playoff spot clinched again this year, and the team ready for its final regular season push, Lewis deserved to have the opportunity to see this challenging season through. The team has struggled this year, but like the saying goes, "The playoffs are a whole new season."
Personality conflicts behind the scenes can only be speculated on, but the Kings should not have let Lewis go before the end of the season.
Lewis was never the kind of coach, general manager or person to give up, an important trait he always instilled in his players. So why did the Kings give up on Lewis?
Jason Schreurs, publisher/editor
