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After eight seasons with the Terriers,听 Trent Cassan has resigned as head coach to move forward with his coaching career. He has accepted听 an assistant coaching position with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.听
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This announcement was made on Tuesday, Sept. 6. On the same day, previous assistant coach Casey O鈥橞rien was appointed to the head coaching position. O鈥橞rien has spent the past five years working with Cassan and the Terriers organization.听
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Cassan said his decision to leave was an emotional one. 听
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鈥淚t comes with a lot of mixed emotions. The Hitmen are a well-rounded and well-respected organization. That made it very exciting to leave,鈥� he said.听
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鈥淥n the flip side, I played [for the Terriers] for three years and was part of the staff for eight. Yorkton has been so good听to me,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he team, the staff.. they鈥檙e a really good group. That does make it very tough to leave.鈥澨�
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鈥淏ut when an opportunity like this comes up, you just don鈥檛 know when it will come again,鈥� Cassan said.听
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Cassan said the Yorkton Terriers Board of Directors was very understanding and supportive of this career move. He said for that, he鈥檚 very appreciative.听
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When asked about the choice of O鈥橞rien to fill his position, Cassan said he鈥檚 happy for his friend to get this opportunity.听
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鈥淚鈥檝e been fortunate to work with him for five years. Casey has been very dedicated and extremely passionate about the games and the players. He鈥檚 going to work hard.鈥�
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Both Cassan and O鈥橞rien mentioned that players have been understanding of these changes, since they share similar goals to move up in the leagues.听
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Cassan said it seems to help the players to have someone familiar take over the lead position.听
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O鈥橞rien said he feels prepared and excited to take over that position.听
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鈥淚t鈥檚 been one of my goals for the past couple of years, to get a head coaching position in the league,鈥� he said.听
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O鈥橞rien admitted that he also had some nerves to work through.听
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鈥淚 have high expectations, and if I鈥檓 not nervous then I鈥檓 not going to be the guy pushing himself to get better everyday,鈥� O鈥橞rien said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a whirlwind but things will settle down after we get through preseason.鈥澨�
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O鈥橞rien said he鈥檚 thankful for the time he spent working with Cassan, and looks forward to the opportunity to continue to learn from him.听
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鈥淲e had some really good highs with winning two league championships and the national championship,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to continue our friendship for a very long time.鈥�
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The Terriers have played in five exhibition games over the past few weeks, as they prepare for the 2016-2017 season.听 They wrapped up the pre-season on Sunday with a 4-1 record.听
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O鈥橞rien said he鈥檚 still working through his roster and making decisions, but his team might not be finalized until December. His biggest goal right now is making sure the team is ready for the regular season opener next Friday, Sept. 16, in Yorkton.
