EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – The Edmundston Blizzard management is very pleased to announce that they agreed with a contract extension for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons with head coach Simon Olivier.
Named the Blizzard’s third head coach in July 2022, Olivier will also be given some additional duties in support of General Manager Steve MacPherson.
“We had an exceptional season with Simon Olivier. The campaign started slowly, mainly due to injuries. Gradually, especially from November 2022 on, we saw the Blizzard play unbelievable hockey. The team was virtually unstoppable,” praised Blizzard president André Lebel.
The Blizzard finished first in the MHL Eastlink North Division with a 38-13-0-1 record. The Blizzard’s 77 points tied the team mark set in 2019-2020, but the 38 wins are a record for the franchise since moving to Edmundston in 2017.
“When we hired Simon last summer, he told us he would ask his players to give it their all every game. And that’s what the fans have seen and appreciated about our team. Our players have also been exemplary off the ice, thanks in large part to the work of Simon and the coaching staff,” said the Blizzard president.
Simon Olivier, a native of Levis, Quebec, is the father of NHL forward Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Phillip Danault (Los Angeles Kings) and Yanni Gourde (Seattle Kraken) are two players that Simon Olivier had the privilege to work with as an assistant coach with Victoriaville in the QMJHL.
After eliminating the Miramichi Timberwolves (4-2) and the Summerside Western Capitals (4-0), the Blizzard lost in four games to the Maritime Hockey League champions, the Yarmouth Mariners.
The return to normal post-pandemic operations will allow the midget draft to be held again in June. The 12 MHL teams will select their new players on Thursday evening, June 15.
– 30 –
Photo
Simon Olivier giving his instructions behind Blizzard’s bench during a game at the Jean-Daigle Centre. Photo courtesy
– 30 –
Contact: Hugues Chiasson, Edmundston Blizzard vice-president communications; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone