The WHL's Regina Pats finally named a new head coach on Monday, introducing David Bell as the replacement for Brad Herauf, who was dismissed 69 days earlier after a short playoff appearance. The lengthy search drew comparisons to other hockey organizations, including the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, which fired and hired two coaches in 79 days.
A Long Wait for a New Bench Boss
The Pats parted ways with Herauf following a typically brief postseason run, leaving the team without a head coach through the WHL drafts and spring development camp. General manager Dale Derkatch acknowledged the delay but defended the process. "It took the time it did," Derkatch said. "Sure, it would've been great to have things happen quicker. But also you wanna do what's right, take the time to make a good decision."
Bell, 49, brings extensive coaching experience from the Ontario, Central, and American hockey leagues, including a three-year stint as head coach of the Belleville Senators in the AHL, from which he was fired in December. He played junior hockey under legendary Ottawa 67's coach Brian Kilrea, a influence he cited as key to his coaching philosophy.
Bell's Coaching Philosophy and Fit
Bell emphasized the importance of clear communication with players, a hallmark of modern coaching. "As a player you wanna know where you sit, where you stand, where you think," Bell said. "Sometimes they're not pretty conversations; they're respectful conversations. You always knew where you stood with Kilrea. He always knew what he needed from you and he also would do anything for you."
The Pats have not won a playoff series since 2017, and the team's roster includes budding stars Maddox Schultz and Liam Pugh, whom Bell researched extensively before accepting the job. Derkatch noted that having Bell in place before July was a target, and the timing aligned with that goal.
Impact on Offseason Preparations
With the WHL offseason lasting only four months, the delay in hiring a head coach meant Bell missed the spring development camp and the WHL drafts. However, Derkatch expressed confidence that the right choice was made, regardless of the timeline. "If the Pats hired the right guy, as they believe, it really doesn't matter how long the search took," the report noted.
Bell, an Ontario native, plans to relocate to Regina with his wife and four children, and he is expected to begin building relationships with players and staff immediately.
