ESTEVAN - Jason Tatarnic is out as the head coach and general manager of the Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins.
The Bruins' executive says it has made the decision to part ways with Tatarnic.
"The organization wants to thank Jason for his time leading the Bruins and the memories from 2022’s championship run," the club said in a news release issued Sunday night.
The press release said the organization will not be commenting further on the matter. Interim plans will be announced in the coming days.
The Bruins' next game is Jan. 22 at home at Affinity Place against the Flin Flon Bombers.
Tatarnic, who was in his fifth season with the Bruins, was let go less than 24 hours after a 5-1 road loss against the Melville Millionaires on Saturday night. Estevan sits last in the four-team Viterra Division, and 10th overall in the 12-team SJHL, with a 12-18-3-1 mark. They are 3-9-1 in their last 13 games.
Tatarnic joined the Bruins in the spring of 2020, after working in both the Maritime Hockey League and the B.C. Hockey League. His first season with the club was limited to six games due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In his second season, the Bruins won the SJHL championship for the first time since 1999, and hosted the Centennial Cup national junior A hockey championship.
The Bruins lost to the Flin Flon Bombers in seven games in the first round of the SJHL playoffs in 2023. Then they were defeated in five games by the Melfort Mustangs in the first round in 2024.
They are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010 this season, as the top eight teams in the league make the postseason.
Â鶹´«Ã½ will have updates as they become available.
