BRANTFORD — Peter Ham, President and General Manager of the Brantford Blast, today announced that the team has brought back former Blast Head Coach Jeff McCormick to fill the position vacated by Mike Burgoyne.
McCormick, 50, coached the Blast from 2008-2011. During his time behind the bench he guided the team to a 26-26 record with one playoff berth in 2010/2011. He re-enters as Head Coach already familiar with several of the players and the culture of the Blast organization.
Whether he was playing or coaching, Jeff has always displayed a strong passion for the game. Arguable he is better known for his occupation as Brantford’s Fire Chief but his wife Shelley and two sons Josh and Sam will attest to his desire to keep the Blast winning-desires on fire.
The need for a new Head Coach arose when Mike Burgoyne stepped down in May. Burgoyne led the Blast to back-to-back Robertson Cup Championships but wished to put all his focus and energy into playing this year. The hunt immediately began for a successor and after interviewing many candidates the Blast chose McCormick.
“It was the best fit for us. He knows this League inside and out and he’s great to have in the dressing room and on the bench. We are very pleased to welcome him back with the Blast organization. He’s very familiar with the ACH and specifically the “Family Culture” that the Blast operate within. Jeff is very excited to be back and we are thrilled to have him,” said Blast Owner/GM Peter Ham.
The last few seasons Jeff continued to be involved with Allan Cup Hockey in Assistant Coaching roles with the Norwood Vipers and the Whitby Dunlops. Last season he assisted the Coaching Staff in Whitby where the Dunlops finished second in the league with an 18-5-1 record and a playoff berth before being eliminated in six games by the Blast.
McCormick is welcomed back to the Blast as the first non-playing Head Coach in the last three seasons. Following his departure from the Blast in 2011, Bryan Hamm (2011/2012) and Mike Burgoyne (2012-2014) were the coaches both in playing-coach roles.
“I am thrilled to be back with the Blast and am looking forward to working with the entire organization in the quest for a third straight Provincial Championship and the chance to get back to the Allan Cup tournament in Newfoundland next Spring,” said McCormick in a statement.
