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Leonard and Becker “mutually” part ways from Mintos

Jan 27, 2016 | 8:57 PM

The Prince Albert Mintos announced on Wednesday, Jan. 27, that they’ll have a new coaching staff moving forward.

In a statement, Mintos president Zenon Markowsky said the team mutually parted ways with head coach Tim Leonard and assistant coach Todd Becker. Assistant coach Brad Bergen will stay on and take over the head coaching duties on an interim basis.  

Leonard had won two Telus Cups with the Mintos, becoming national champions in the 2006 and 2007 tournaments. He was on the team for 10 straight seasons, seven as head coach, before leaving to join the Prince Albert Raiders as an assistant, following the 2011-2012 season. After leaving the Raiders, citing personal reasons on Sept. 25, 2014, Leonard rejoined the Mintos just before the 2014-2015 regular season began.

Becker was in his fourth season coaching with the team, after joining the Mintos to begin the 2012-2013 season. Becker was an assistant coach during the Mintos’ third Telus Cup victory in 2014. 

Mintos manager Don Fauchoux added that expectations were not achieved recently and both parties felt it best to move on.

The Mintos are currently in sixth place in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League with a 19-14-0-2 record. That’s despite having three of the best scorers in the league in captain Erik Gardiner (second in league scoring with 45 points, first in assists with 32) and Riley Sawchuk (first in goals with 22, third in league scoring with 43 points) and the top scoring defenceman in Jake Hobson (32 points).

Last season, upon Leonard’s return, the Mintos also finished sixth in the regular season and were then swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Notre Dame Hounds.

Leonard and Becker did not immediately answer interview requests with paNOW.com.

jdandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea