Colin Birkas and the Nanaimo Clippers have agreed to a contract extension to June 30, 2021.
Colin is new to the Clippers this year having an extensive coaching background in Ontario and Alberta. He was the head coach for the Kingston Voyageurs from 2011 to 2015 in the OJHL. He moved on to the Brockville Braves of the CCHL for the 2016-2017 season then was head coach for the Calgary Canucks (AJHL) in the 2017-18 season. He returned to Ontario for the 2018-2019 season where he worked as an Assistant Coach for the Trenton Golden Hawks in the OJHL before coming to the Clippers for the 2019-2020 season.
As the Associate Coach for the Clippers, Birkas has done an incredible job specializing on the defensive zone coverage of the Clippers who currently stand second overall in the BCHL in goals against and at the top of the BCHL in penalty killing. He has been an important part of the Clippers success this year.
Wes Mussio, owner of the Clippers, commented, “heading into the 2019-2020 season our Achilles’ heel from the previous year was our variable defensive zone coverage. I met Colin and immediately realized that he has a real knack for understanding the game and sure enough, it’s played out on the ice for the Clippers this year. I wanted to bring him back for a contract extension because his work on and off the ice is beyond any expectations we had.”
Darren Naylor, Head Coach and GM of the Clippers, indicated, “Colin has a real eye for detail which has helped us adapt throughout games this year. He is a great communicator with the players given his teaching background. The players respect him immensely. He also has a great sense of humour and so it is easy to spend hours on the road getting to know him. I’m happy that the ownership group is making sure Colin is a long term member of our coaching staff.”
