Timberjaks defencemen Evan Malenfant lines up for the draw during a game against the Saskatoon Quakers on Sept. 28, 2023. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

coaching changes

Timberjaks promote GM Corfmat, add Manson to coaching staff as Lemire steps down as head coach

Jan 19, 2024 | 5:00 PM

Some new faces will be behind the bench for the Prince Albert Timberjaks for the remainder of the season.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that head coach Moe Lemire had stepped down from the position and the club’s general manager and assistant coach, Stephen Corfmat would be assuming the role for the rest of the campaign.

Timberjaks president Ken Malenfant said that Lemire’s resignation was a personal choice.

“It was something he thought he had to do,” explained Malenfant. “We had some good conversations over Christmas and we both agreed that maybe this was the best thing to do.”

Although Corfmat is the head coach “on paper” he and assistant coach Kim Issel will be splitting the head coaching duties.

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Malenfant said that the news of Lemire stepping down came as a shock to some of the players.

“There were some pretty wide-eyed guys but everybody understood that we’re moving forward. The common feeling was that Moe will be missed but we got a season to focus on – we’re trying to make the playoffs.”

“He was our first coach and we’re proud to say that Moe Lemire was the first coach in Prince Albert Timberjaks history.”

With Corfmat now calling shots alongside Issel, the Jaks GM brings tons of experience to the team and front office.

Hailing from Prince Albert and playing minor hockey in the city, Corfmat played his junior hockey in Moose Jaw and Humboldt before heading south to play in the U.S. for a couple of seasons. Following one season each in San Antonio and Nashville, he returned to Saskatchewan and spent 21 years working in the SJHL for Nipawin, Melfort, and Kindersley, while also winning two championships with the Mustangs in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Corfmat began this season as the Director of Player Personnel for Kindersley before joining the Timberjaks and explained why he chose to move home and split the role with Issel instead of having control.

“There was two of us and it was easier to split the duties,” he said. “Kim has been there from the start and I started the year in Kindersley with the Klippers. I got an opportunity to move back home and help kids from around [the Prince Albert area] so that’s what I chose to do.”

With a spot open on the bench for another assistant coach, Corfmat added that a local coach with NHL experience will be joining him and Issel for the rest of the season.

“We just added Dave Manson as well,” he continued. “Dave is coming in and helping us – him and Kim are good buddies and played together. When you’re lucky enough to get a guy that just got out of the NHL to come help the [team], it’s a great option.”

Following his 16-year NHL career, Manson came back to P.A. and started his coaching career with the Raiders, spending 12 seasons as an assistant coach from 2002-2008 and as an associate coach from 2012-2018. Between his time in the WHL, he was an assistant coach with the Prince Albert Mintos. Following the 2017-18 season, Manson was hired by the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL as an assistant coach before being promoted to the Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach in 2022.

The Timberjaks currently hold the fifth and final playoff spot in the Bob Dybvig (North) Division standings with an 11-19-0 (W-L-OTL) record and are riding a two-game win streak at the time of this article’s publication.

Prince Albert is back in action on Friday night when they host the Delisle Chiefs for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop at the Northern Regional Recreation Centre (formerly Buckland Arena). Following Friday’s contest, the Jaks will trek south to Fort Qu’Appelle on Saturday to meet Fort Knox in an interdivisional battle.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com