Mike Byrne steps down as head coach
Six seasons, three League Coach of the Year awards, and the longest-serving head coach in the league. Byrne is not going anywhere — he is moving to the front office full time.
Big news, Rivermen fans — and no, we aren’t folding.
First off, you can all exhale. We know that somber teaser had some of you sweating bullets, thinking this was the end of the line for the Rivermen. Far from it. But we do have a massive shift coming to the organization.
After an incredible run, Mike Byrne is officially stepping down as Head Coach of the Arnprior Rivermen.
Mike is a Day 1 guy. He has been the absolute backbone behind our bench since the very beginning, holding down the title as the longest-serving head coach in the entire league. Over his 6 seasons at the helm, his impact on the ice has been undeniable, earning him League Coach of the Year honors an incredible 3 times. He built the foundation and the culture of what this team is today.
For Team Owner Adrian Moyes, Mike’s impact goes far beyond the stats and the accolades.
If it weren’t for Mike, the Rivermen likely never would have existed, and we definitely would have folded years ago. I am very, very thankful for the countless hours Mike puts into this team. Honestly, our daily hockey messages are the highlight of my day some days. Beyond the rink, the friendship we’ve made running this adventure together will last forever, and I’ll always be super thankful for that.
— Team Owner Adrian Moyes
But before anyone hits the panic button — he isn’t going anywhere.
Mike is staying right here in Arnprior and will be dedicating his full focus to his role as the team’s General Manager. He’s going to keep grinding, recruiting, and pulling the strings from the front office to make sure we ice the best possible roster.
Why the change?
Sometimes you need to inject some new fuel behind the bench. Stepping aside allows us to bring in a fresh voice and new energy to lead the boys on the ice, while Mike continues to mastermind the ultimate squad off the ice.
Join us in thanking Mike for his absolute dedication, grit, and loyalty as Head Coach, and get ready for a huge new chapter for Rivermen hockey!