The Austin Bruins announced late Friday afternoon that coach and general manager Chris Tok will not return for the 2015-16 season, stating some his managerial decisions were not consistent with the team’s long-term interests.

“Over the years as coach of the Austin Bruins, Chris Tok made a number of managerial decisions which were not consistent with the team’s interests nor consistent with team policy,” owner Craig Patrick wrote in an emailed statement. “Those decisions have created tension and conflict between Chris Tok and management which has proven difficult to resolve.”

Tok admitted the differences of opinions and clashes with ownership “that take a lot of out of guy,” and he said the parting was best for both sides.

“I’m not bitter and I’m not upset,” Tok said. “I think the writing was on the wall. I’m very accepting of the fact. I think it was best for both parties to have a separation and move on.”

Tok said he’s exploring his options for the future, but said he most likely won’t seek another hockey job immediately.

Tok has been the only head coach for the Bruins since the team’s formation. He compiled a record of 203-138 in his five years with the team, made the playoffs every year except the inaugural season, and his teams won three straight NAHL Central Division regular season titles.

“No one doubts coach Tok’s ability to have success on the ice,” Patrick’s statement read. “In fact we believe that Chris is one of the best coaches in the NAHL. Unfortunately being head coach/ general manager involves far more than coaching.

Tok agreed the disagreements came off the ice.

“We can clearly say the on ice stuff was the second best in the league because it was for two years,” Tok said. “They’re the bosses and they didn’t like the way it was being done. I’m bull headed.”

Tok said the tension eased for a bit after Mike Cooper came on as co-owner, but the same differences of opinion soon surfaced again.

Despite success on the ice, Bruins ownership stated Tok was let go for what happened behind the scenes with his general managing duties.

“In light of those managerial issues and the conflict they have produced, the team has decided to seek a new head coach,” Patrick’s statement read.

Patrick said the team is committed to finding a new coach that will continue the team’s history of success.

“The team is confident that it will identify a coach with a similar level of quality on the ice who also has solid history of performance in making managerial decisions and a willingness to work closely with management for the common achievement of shared goals,” Patrick wrote. “After all, the Austin Bruins are committed to continuing the legacy of producing championship caliber teams, combined with outstanding community involvement supported by a fiscally healthy and supportive team organization necessary to give our fans the exciting hockey experience they deserve for many years to come.”

The Bruins announced Tuesday that assistant coach and scout Jamie Huffman would not return to the team.

Word that Tok and Huffman wouldn’t return to the Bruins first came to light in April after Andy Johnson, a USHL scout for the Waterloo Black Hawks and NAHL scout for the Coulee Region Chill, tweeted “Very disappointing news… I’m told Austin Bruins [NAHL] will not bring back head coach Chris Tok or assistant Jamie Huffman next season.”

The initial rumors broke just days before the Bruins started a playoff run that saw Austin finish second in the Robertson Cup Finals for the second year in a row.

“That was pretty much the dart in the dart board,” Tok said. “That situation made it very difficult.”

Tok said he and his family likely won’t stay in Austin.

“We really like it here, but I think that would be tough to do,” he said.

After the initial rumors surfaced, Patrick said no official decision had been made regarding Tok and Huffman’s futures with the team, but the Bruins’ playoff run felt much like a farewell tour for Tok and Huffman. Many fans wore shirts reading “We heart Tok & Huff,” and at least 18 former players returned to support their former coaches.

Christian Folin, who went from two years with the Bruins to being a member of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, said he’s always credited Tok with helping him make it to the next level and he continued that tone last Saturday.

“I loved playing for him,” Folin said. “Some of the best years of my life were here playing for him and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for [Tok]. He really helped me turn my game around and he’s a great coach. He’s done a terrific job for the whole organization.”

Players were equally supportive of Huffman. Jay Dickman, who is the Bruins’ all-time leading scorer and is now playing hockey at Bemidji State University, said that when he didn’t make it in the USHL, the Bruins were his first choice because he had met Huffman when he was playing in high school. Dickman said the coaching staff went the extra mile to get him and others onto the next level.

“Everything [Tok’s] done for me and my family and getting me into school. Everything he’s done has been amazing,” Dickman said. “[Tok and Huffman] have done everything for me and they will do anything for me. They’ll do anything for a player to move on.”

Tok thanked the Austin community and his former players for their support.

“I would like to thank the fans for the things they’ve always done and the support they’ve given our team,” Tok said. “And I’d like to thank the media for all of the time and support they’ve put in. We’ve got the best alumni in the NAHL.”

 

The full statement from Bruins owner Craig Patrick: 

“No one doubts coach Tok’s ability to have success on the ice. In fact we believe that Chris is one of the best coaches in the NAHL. Unfortunately being head coach/ general manager involves far more than coaching.  The position requires the exercise of solid managerial decisions behind the scenes, and it requires those managerial decisions be focused primarily on the long-term interests of the team.  Over the years as coach of the Austin Bruins, Chris Tok made a number of managerial decisions which were not consistent with the team’s interests nor consistent with team policy.  Those decisions have created tension and conflict between Chris Tok and management which has proven difficult to resolve.  In light of those managerial issues and the conflict they have produced, the team has decided to seek a new head coach.  The team is confident that it will identify a coach with a similar level of quality on the ice who also has solid history of performance in making managerial decisions and a willingness to work closely with management for the common achievement of shared goals.  After all, the Austin Bruins are committed to continuing the legacy of producing championship caliber teams, combined with outstanding community involvement supported by a fiscally healthy and supportive team organization necessary to give our fans the exciting hockey experience they deserve for many years to come.”