After 4 1/2 seasons as head coach of the Prince George Spruce Kings Dave Dupas informed the BCHL team Friday afternoon he has resigned from his position, effective immediately.
The 52-year-old Dupas said he is no longer willing to fulfill his commitments to the team because his work takes him away from his wife and two sons, who live year-round in Kelowna.
"The decision is difficult in that I really loved Prince George and the people there were great, but when it comes down to family and work, family comes first, and I would like to stay closer to Kelowna," said Dupas.
"It's important for the Spruce Kings to have a coach who lives full-time in Prince George and I was simply not able to do that. My wife has a (beauty salon) business in Kelowna and I have two kids in school in Kelowna and they weren't going to move to Prince George. I've been away from the kids since they were young."
Dupas joined the Spruce Kings in November 2010 after Ed Dempsey was fired. Before he came to Prince George, Dupas coached the Williams Lake Timberwolves in 2009, finishing the 2009-10 season in junior B with the North Okanagan Knights. The native of Burnaby was a former BCHL all-star defenceman in the early 1980s with the New Westminster Royals, the franchise that eventually became the Spruce Kings.
"We've done some good things up there and the team is moving in the right direction and I think my record speaks for itself," said Dupas. "I really enjoyed my time up there and was welcomed warmly all the time. The fans were great, the media was great and it was a pleasant experience for me all around and I'm sad to be leaving. I'm proud I left the club in a better spot than when I arrived.
"I know it's going to be a real good team next season."
Dupas signed a two-year contract extension at the end of last season with a club option to extend it for a third year. He said if a coaching position in the Okanagan becomes available he would consider it.
Since became the Kings' coach, Dupas has never missed the playoffs, has always finished third or better, and in that time has maintained a .500 win-loss record or better. This season, the injury-riddled Kings finished third in the Mainland Division with a 27-24-1-6 record and for the first time in 10 seasons won a playoff round when they defeated Langley 4-2 in the first round of playoffs. The Kings' playoff drive ended Tuesday when they were swept by the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Spruce Kings general manager Mike Hawes said he was not surprised at Dupas' decision. They discussed that possibility before he left for Kelowna following the team's player exit interviews.
"Dave came into a difficult situation when he was initially hired and was able to adapt well," said Hawes. "He started laying the ground work for changing the team's culture immediately and the players responded well to him. Our overall record in Dave's time here was good and we were able to get the on ice product back on track and in line with what the organization's expectation would be."
Hawes doesn't anticipate a difficult task finding suitable candidates to fill the job opening. He said when Dempsey left the team had 75 applicants for his job.
"It's a small world and the hockey world is even smaller," said Hawes. "The BCHL is a desirable league. I have some potential replacements in mind and I'm going to make some calls over the next few days and have some conversations with guys that I feel would be a good fit.
"We're in no rush to fill the spot but that being said I would like to fill the vacancy sooner than later so that the new coach can be heavily involved in the recruiting and building of next season's team."
