ESTEVAN - Estevan Bruins’ head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic announced Sunday that associate coach Phil Fife has resigned from the Bruins to accept a coaching position with another organization.
Fife’s new team is to be announced within the coming days, the Bruins said in a news release.
“It was an honour and privilege to have a former player coach beside me the last three seasons and my family and I are going to miss having Phil around,” said Tatarnic. “I want to thank Phil for everything he has done for me personally and our organization over the past three seasons.
“I can’t say I am surprised that Phil has taken the next step in his coaching career having watched him play an integral part of our recruiting process, our coaching philosophy, and our game preparation.
“Phil was a proven winner as a player, and it was an unbelievable experience when we won together in 2012 [with the Woodstock Slammers of the Maritime Hockey League] but winning the championship in 2022 as coaches is something I will never forget, and it definitely makes that one very special. I want to wish Phil all the best and continued success in his career, and I look forward to following it.”
Estevan Bruins president Josh Biggs extended the board’s gratitude, saying: “The Estevan Bruins want to say thank you to Phil Fife for his time with the organization. Phil has been a great addition to the team and community and will always be remembered as a key member of the 2022 championship team.
“Congratulations Phil on your first head coaching role, the Estevan Bruins wish you the best.”
The Oromocto, N.B., native, played his junior hockey with the Slammers and the Truro Bearcats from 2010 to 2014. During his junior career, Fife won two league championships and competed in two national tournaments. Fife participated in the national championship game in 2012 with the Slammers.
Fife then played four seasons of USports hockey for the University of Waterloo from 2014-2018.
“I would like to thank the entire Bruins organization, fans and everyone who has been a part of my life these last few years,” said Fife. “I especially, want to thank Tarts [Tatarnic] for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to work with him the past three seasons. It was an incredible feeling winning the SJHL championship in 2022 alongside my former coach, and it’s something I will always remember.
“Moreover, I want to thank all the players and staff who made coaching in Estevan so special. Go Bruins.”
Prior to coaching in Estevan, Fife served as an assistant coach with the Melville Millionaires in the 2019-20 season.
