Kevin McBain
of The Clarion
In just a few short days late last week, the Klippers found out that their coach/general manager would be leaving the team and a new coach/GM was hired.
Geoff Grimwood, who was the coach and general manager of the Kindersley Klippers for three seasons, announced last Wednesday that the he would not return to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team for the 2018-19 season. The Klippers quickly called up a familiar face, Clayton Jardine, who was the assistant coach for the Klippers in 2015-16. After a quick few hours he accepted the position, announced May 25.
Clayton Jardine was hired to be the Klippers’ head coach and general manager after Geoff Grimwood announced that he would not be returning for next season.
Grimwood announced his decision May 23 and said that it was time to move on.
“My contract was up this spring and for me, personally, I wanted to move closer to family,” said the native of Victoria, B.C. “It was not an easy decision for me. I feel so grateful for the opportunity to coach in Kindersley and I have built up a lot of relationships there. It was very bittersweet.
“I will definitely continue to follow the team and the SJHL. I loved it in Kindersley,” he added.
Grimwood led the team to three straight playoff appearances and finished with a record of 79-82-13 overall. He feels that the team is in good shape.
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“I’m pretty happy with what I left,” he said. “For next season, the team has 17 eligible returning players and two great goaltenders. I think they will be in real good shape next season.”
President of the Klippers’ organization Brett Sautner said the Grimwood did a great job with the club.
“When Geoff came here we were in a rebuilding stage. He built us up to be a playoff contender and he made Kidnersley a place where players wanted to come and play,” he said. “He was able to put the staff in place to make the team a success. He deinitley made the Klippers a stronger organization.”
Jardine says that he is excited to return to the Klippers’ ogranization.
“It’s very exciting,” he said. “I had a good relationship with Brett Sautner and the board while I was there and have stayed in contact with many of them. I see this as a huge opportunity for myself to take the next step in my career.
“Over the past two years I have made a lot of contacts in the college ranks which I think will help the Klipper players after they graduate,” he said.
The 27-year-old native of Lacombe, Alta., is currently finishing up his course for Masters of Business and Administration and Strategic Leadership at New England College.
While attending the college he was also the assistant coach of the Division 3 club for those two seasons.
Sautner said that he is a good fit for the club.
“We always had Clayton in mind to bring him back if a position came available,” he said. “He is familiar with the organization, he has experience at the college level both as a player and the guys liked him while he was here previously.
“He is taking business administration and leadership which are very useful tools that he can use as a head coach and general manager,” added Sautner. “It was a quick turnaround with the position and we are thankful that he agreed to take over.”
Jardine played junior hockey with the Camrose Kodiaks from 2007-2011 before attending Merrimack College for the next four years from 2011-15.
He was a forward in his playing days and want to bring a fast-paced game to the Klippers.
“I want a team that plays at a fast pace that can move the puck well,” he said.
Jardine says that in New England he had the opportunity to work under a coach with 30-plus years of experience. He will have the opportunity to gain some more experience, working with assistant coach Larry Wintoneak who will be back with the Klippers’ team next season.
Jardine says he does have a class to finish and hopes to move to Kindersley in early July.
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