What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
Nov 18, 2024
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
Saskatchewan Rattlers head coach Chad Jacobson stepped down from his role as head coach of the team Friday.
The Rattlers announced the resignation in a news release late Friday afternoon, a day after the team lost its fifth consecutive game in a 101-60 blowout Thursday against the Edmonton Stingers.
Jacobson managed to win only one game during his two years in charge of the Rattlers. He previously served as an assistant coach during the team’s 2019 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Championship season.
“First and foremost, it needs to be said that nobody wanted this team to succeed more than Chad. Unfortunately, many factors accumulated which led to the team’s present struggles. To his credit he recognized the need for a swift path to a fresh start for the team,” Rattlers general manager Barry Rawlyk said.
“We want to thank Chad for his contributions and tireless work for the Rattlers.”
In the 2020 CEBL Summer Series, the Rattlers finished with a 1-5 record.
Rattlers lead assistant coach, Conor Dow has been named as interim head coach, the club announced in its news release.
His experience ranges from coaching, scouting, recruiting and basketball operations. Dow joined the Rattlers after spending the past two years as an assistant coach for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League, an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks.
Dow previously worked as a player development intern with the Mavericks before joining the Legends. Before his time with the Mavericks, Dow spent two years as the director of basketball operations at Lafayette College.
“We are very excited to welcome Conor Dow as our interim head coach. Conor has tremendous experience and knowledge from working with many elite coaches in the NCAA, G-League, and NBA. Conor is already familiar with the team as the lead assistant coach and is somebody that is extremely passionate. We look forward to seeing what he does in this role,” Rawlyk added.
The Rattlers will look to register its first win of the season when the Edmonton Stingers come to SaskTel Centre Saturday. The two teams will play each once again on Monday, the first time fans have been welcomed to SaskTel Centre since health restrictions were introduced amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
The team will also celebrate it’s banner raising ceremony after winning the 2019 CEBL Championship Trophy.