The head coach of the Humboldt Broncos has stepped down.
A release from the team said Nathan Oystrick and the Broncos decided to "part ways".
“I have stepped away from the Humboldt Broncos,” wrote Oystrick on Twitter. “Despite the extreme stress and constant pressure of working with the organization, I gave them everything I possibly could and am proud of their performance, and mine, this season.”
Assistant coach Scott Barney will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the season.
Barney, a 39-year-old Ennismore, Ont. native, had a lengthy professional career, which included 27 National Hockey League games with the Atlanta Thrashers and Los Angeles Kings. His career also took the former forward all over the world playing professionally in the American Hockey League, as well as Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, China and Japan.
The Broncos are fourth in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with a record of 21-13-2-1 this season.
Oystrick was one of more than 50 applicants for the Broncos' coaching job. He was announced as coach and general manager July 3.
Prior to becoming a coach, Oystrick played in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks.
