By Darryl G. Smart
When the Provincial Junior Hockey League season begins, so will the Jared Boersma era in Norwich.
Boersma becomes the Norwich Merchants’ head coach after Dave Smith handed in his resignation.
Smith, who was in his fourth season during this most recent stint with the PJHL Doherty Division team, resigned from the team to spend more time with his grandchildren.
“We thank Dave for his multiple years of service behind the bench and wish nothing but the best for the future,” the Merchants said in a release.
Boersma was in his first season as an assistant coach with the Merchants this season. Before that, he spent a number of years in the Norwich minor hockey system as a coach. During the 2017-18 season, Boersma led the Norwich Knighthawks bantam team to a Silver Stick and Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship.