The Creston Valley Thunder Cats are pleased to announce the return of Brad Tobin as Head Coach and General Manager for the upcoming season. This hiring comes on the heels of Brandon Switzer’s departure for an assistant coaching gig with the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints.
The Thunder Cats would like to thank Brandon Switzer for all the work he put into our organization over the past year and a half. We wish him all the best this season in his new role with Spruce Grove.
Tobin spent the past four years with the BCHL’s Surrey Eagles in numerous roles ranging from assistant coach to assistant GM. The Eagles ran an 85-92-13 record during his time with the team. His familiarity with the Thunder Cats and the KIJHL goes back to the 2016/2017 Cyclone Taylor Cup as an assistant coach under current KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois. The next season as Head Coach and GM, Tobin led the Cats to a 32-12-1 record, good for fifth in the entire league.
Since his last stint with the Thunder Cats, Tobin feels he has learned a lot about himself, the game, and his coaching philosophy.
“I’m very excited, being around those players and coaches helped develop me as a coach,” said Tobin. “Especially being with [Surrey Head Coach] Cam Keith for the past few years, he’s really helped me and I got to learn how he works and it’s definitely affected me in a positive way”.
Thunder Cats Vice-President Shannon Veitch’s professional working relationship with Tobin from his previous time here was instrumental in being able to recruit the Jr. A caliber coach again, and it’s a hiring she, and the rest of the board, are thrilled with.
“I am very excited that we were able to hire such an experienced and qualified Head Coach/GM to make this transition as seamless as possible. Brad Tobin is very familiar with Creston Valley and the Thunder Cats organization; we are pleased to have him back behind the bench,” said Veitch. “We feel his experience in the BCHL will be a valuable asset to our team this season.”
Tobin echoed similar sentiments on familiarity.
“Coming into a situation where you know a few familiar faces around town is big and it helps me hit the ground running right away. I’m happy to be back in Creston and I hope the folks around town will be happy to see me back too.”
The Thunder Cats’ training camp starts September 2 at the Johnny Bucyk Arena. The first preseason home game is September 14 vs Fernie, and we welcome the Castlegar Rebels to town for the regular season home opener on September 23.
