Northeast BC Predators announce 2024-25 coaching staff

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Local girls hockey club Northeast BC Predators have made announcements on their coaches for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

According to a pair of Facebook posts by the club this past weekend, Len Potvin will be returning behind the bench of the U-18 squad, while Clint Ollenberger was named the new man in charge of the U-15 girls.

Ollenberger will replace Paul Wiens, who was recently inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the 2010 Fort St. John Flyers Allan Cup-winning team.

Last season’s U-15 Predators capped off their season by taking bronze at the provincial championships in Castlegar, and Ollenberger says he’s looking forward to fronting what he described as a “great and fun group.”

“I have been heavily involved in pushing for girls’ hockey over the years as president and vice president of minor hockey in Clearview, as well as being the female coordinator for FSJ minor hockey,” said Ollenberger.

Potvin will head into his fifth season behind the bench for the U-18 program.  The 2023-24 version of the U-18 Predators finished on top of the Northern Female League with eight wins, three losses, and a draw.

They also performed strongly at the WickFest tournament in Calgary, where they took the championship in the silver division, and the Canlan Girls Winter Classic in Seattle, where they went undefeated and captured the title.

“I’m excited for the season,” said Potvin, a 2022 recipient of the Queen Jubilee Medallion for his contributions to women’s hockey. “Looking forward to another positive year, and can’t wait to get started.”

The Northeast BC Predators tryout camps are scheduled for August 23rd to August 25th in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.

More information about the program can be found on their website and Facebook page.