Kootenay Ice, coach Ryan McGill part ways after 3 seasons

In a bit of a surprise move, the Kootenay Ice announced today that Ryan McGill won’t be back behind the bench next season. The team won’t be renewing his contract when it expires this June.

Kootenay made the playoffs in all three of McGill’s seasons, but that goes without saying since the Ice are yet to miss the post-season in the club’s 18-year history. There wasn’t a year where the Cranbrook-based team seemed to underachieve under McGill. They were the underdog in both years that they were ousted in the first round in 2012-13 and this year at the hands of the Calgary Hitmen. In 2013-14, meanwhile, McGill led his club over the Hitmen before falling to the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

That said, it wouldn’t be fair to point a finger at McGill for Kootenay’s shortcomings in the second season. He seemed to get the most out of squads, but could only do so much because of a lack of offensive depth, star power on the back end and goaltending issues at times.

This is by no means the first time Ice GM-owner Jeff Chyonweth has made a bold coaching change. He canned Kris Knoblauch, who now coaches Connor McDavid and the rest of the OHL’s Erie Otters, just a year after he led Kootenay to a WHL championship in 2010-11. There were reports Knoblauch's interest in leaving the club for the University of Alberta Golden Bears played a major role in that, though.

According to the release, the team parted ways with McGill because they feel a need for a “fresh face and voice.”

“Ryan is a good coach and we are thankful for all the contributions he has made to our Club. However, at this time, we feel we need a fresh face and voice moving forward to lead our team. We wish Ryan the very best as he moves on in his coaching career,” said Chynoweth in the release.

McGill’s successor will be taking over a club heading into a rebuild, or retool depending on how many aces Chyonweth has up his sleeve. Buffalo Sabres top pick Sam Reinhart, Montreal Canadiens draft choice Tim Bozon and Toronto Maple Leafs defensive prospect Rinat Valiev won’t be returning next season, meaning Kootenay will feel the void of losings their top forward, blueliner and a key veteran winger. It appears that they don’t have a future cornerstone piece in their system; however, they do have some quality young rearguards like 1997-born Troy Murray, 1998-born Cale Fleury and top 2014 bantam pick Griffin Mendel.

It seems McGill could be back in the Dub sooner than later unless he wants to go behind the bench of a pro team. The Vancouver Giants (parted ways with Claude Noel) and Lethbridge Hurricanes (Peter Anholt will only be the GM next year) are both looking for a head coach. In addition, it’s not clear whether the Prince Albert Raiders will resign Marc Habschied. It wouldn’t be surprising to see multiple teams inquire about McGill’s services when taking into account his impressive hockey resume. He won two WHL championships (both in his earlier stint with the Ice in 2000 and 2002) in his eight years as a head coach at the major junior level and was the Calgary Flames’ assistant coach for two seasons.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen