Colorado Academy hockey coach Nathan Oystrick hired by Humboldt Broncos

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Nathan Oystrick, who spent the past season as the coach of Colorado Academy’s hockey program, has been hired by the Humboldt Broncos as their coach and general manager, the team announced on Tuesday.

Oystrick was hired by CA last October, and led the school’s JV team in its return to hockey for the first time in more than a decade. The Mustangs are moving to a varsity schedule this season.

In April, the Humboldt Broncos, a Junior A program in Saskatchewan, Canada, were involved in a bus accident that killed 16 people, and injured 13. Head coach Darcy Haugan was among those who killed.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the Humboldt Broncos head coach, and look forward to joining this tremendous community and leading this historic organization, all the while never forgetting the circumstances which have brought me here,” Oystrick said, according to the team’s official website.

Oystrick, a native of Saskatchewan, played professional hockey for 10 seasons, including 65 games with the Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. He also appeared in 338 AHL games.

Before he was hired by Colorado Academy, Oystrick was an assistant coach in the ECHL.

Colorado Academy athletic director Bill Hall said the search for a new coach would begin right away.

“I’m really happy for Coach Oystrick. He’s a great person and coach. I’m sure he will help the Humboldt community move forward from last seasons tragic events,” Hall said. “I feel lucky to have had him as part of the Colorado Academy staff, and we will start immediately searching for a replacement to continue what Coach Oystrick started. And that’s to lead our CA hockey program through hard work, a humble attitude, and a focus on the players as role models in the community, classroom, and on the ice.”