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Photo Credit: EverythingGP
By Shane Clausing
New Storm coach

Aasman ready for Storm head coaching role

Dec 17, 2019 | 12:50 PM

The Grande Prairie Storm announced Tuesday that head coach and assistant general manager Matt Keillor has been relieved of his coaching duties, and Storm Assistant Coach Ryan Aasman will take over as Interim Head Coach.

Aasman is a native of Medicine Hat and has previously served as an Assistant Coach for the AAA Bantam Lethbridge Hawks and the Midget AAA Lethbridge Hurricanes. This is his first season as a coach in the AJHL.

He also spent four seasons as a defenseman in the WHL (Western Hockey League) from 2008-2012, spending time with the Prince Albert Raiders, Seattle Thunderbirds, Swift Current Broncos, Medicine Hat Tigers and Edmonton Oil Kings.

Aasman also played in the AJHL for the Spruce Grove Saints and Drumheller Dragons as well as playing four years at the University of Lethbridge from 2012-2017.

“I’m excited for the opportunity and obviously didn’t see it coming, but I’m excited to finish the year in a different roll and grow my own individual coaching game. I was very lucky to work under Matt Keillor for as long as I did, he taught me lots and I was fortunate to have him get me used to the league when I did,” said Aasman.

Aasman tells EverythingGP that fans can expect a team with lots of energy.

“For me it’s about coming to the rink every day, loving what you do and having passion, while having that passion trickle down to our players. At the end of the day all we can do at the rink is control our work ethic and attitude and start building a healthy culture around the rink.”

The Storm have four games remaining before the Christmas break.

by Shane Clausing