Jim Midgley out as head coach of Halifax Mooseheads (update)

By Meghan Groff

After one season as head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads, Jim Midgley is out of a job.

The team announced Wednesday they had let Midgley go after he led the team to a 43-18-6-1 regular season record and a fourth-place finish in the overall QMJHL standings.

Following a first round victory over Baie-Comeau, the Mooseheads were swept out of the playoffs by the Charlottetown Islanders.

General Manager Cam Russell wasn't willing to go into much detail about the decision but said it was a difficult one to make.

“We just felt we needed someone with more experience to coach the team, especially when you look at the big season we're going into next year,” said Russell.

Earlier this month, the Mooseheads learned they would be hosting the 101st Mastercard Memorial Cup at the Scotiabank Centre in May 2019.

They automatically get an invite to the round robin tournament, where they'll compete for the CHL championship against the top team in each of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League.

With a chance to hoist the cup on home ice, the team appears to be on a mission to do more than just participate.

“Right now, just looking at the timing of everything, we just felt it was the move we had to make.”

The search for a new head coach has started and Russell said they've already received some resumes but they plan on taking their time so they can find the right person to fill the role.

Before taking over the top coaching job, Midgley spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the team.

“I would like to thank Jim Midgley for the dedication he brought to his position as head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads,” said Mooseheads majority owner Bobby Smith in a news release.

“There were many positive aspects of the 2017-18 season and Jim deserves credit for guiding the team to a 93-point season, a first round playoff victory and overseeing the development of our players. I would like to wish Jim all the best in the future.” 

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