UPDATE – 9:30AM:
Former NHL defenceman Adam Foote is the new head coach of the Kelowna Rockets.
The 47-year-old Foote got the job despite not having any head coaching experience.
He was most recently a defensive coach with the Colorado Avalanche from 2011 through last season.
Adam’s son Nolan, is in his third season with the Rockets.
His other son, Cal, is a former Rockets captain and first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning who is currently playing for the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.
First ? at Adam Foote as new HC ??
Catch his Press Conference LIVE on our Facebook page at 11am! pic.twitter.com/Csc11f3PVr
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) October 23, 2018
ORIGINAL STORY – MONDAY:
After a 4-10 start, the Kelowna Rockets have sacked head coach Jason Smith.
The Rockets, who host the Memorial Cup in 2020, are three points behind the third place Prince George Cougars in the B.C. Division.
Smith was hired by the Rockets in the summer of 2016 and completed two full years as head coach.
In 2016-17 the team had a 45-22-5-0 record while last season saw the Rockets go 43-22-5-2.
Kelowna was swept in the first round of the 2018 playoffs, losing four straight to the Tri-City Americans.
This is the first in-season WHL firing since Lorne Molleken was let go with two games remaining in the 2015-2016 season.
Kelowna will host Swift Current tonight (Tuesday).