The BCHL’s Langley Rivermen announced the resignation of head coach and general manager Steve O’Rourke Monday morning. O’Rourke resigned for personal reasons after just one season behind the bench of the Rivermen.
O’Rourke followed in the footsteps of Harvey Smyl, taking over when Smyl took the head coach and GM duties with the revived Chilliwack Chiefs.
O’Rourke came to Langley from the Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League, where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach. He played two seasons in the BCHL in the mid-1990’s, suiting up for the Penticton Panthers.
O’Rourke led this year’s Rivermen to a seventh place finish in the Interior conference. Langley posted a 19-35-1-5 record for 44 points, missing the playoffs.
“I would like to thank the Henderson family for the opportunity and the fans in Langley for their support and I wish them well,” O’Rourke said.
Bobby Henderson, an assistant coach under O’Rourke, will take over as head coach and general manager.
Jordan Emmerson will be Langley’s associate head coach.