The Central Plains Capitals announced Brad Gnidziejko as the new Head Coach of their Men's Midget hockey team.

Regional Director John Ferg says Gnidziejko's work with their City Midget club really helped in their decision process.

"He took a somewhat of a negative team culture, and turned it into really a positive team culture. Even though the win loss record wasn't significant at the end of the year, the team culture -- and the moral -- were some things that we really noted."

Gnidziejko started his coaching career in Winnipeg, and took a brief hiatus to focus on work and family after moving to Alberta. He says once his children were of age he got back into coaching, and he can't wait to start next season.

"I'm very excited to be honest with you. It's a goal I'd set for myself some time ago to be in Provincial Midget in Central Plains, and it's nothing but fantastic for me. It's awesome."

Gnidziejko believes in a structured game, but also wants to key in on the fundamentals of the game and developing the players. He understands how important development is being a rural team.

"We don't have the luxury of the larger talent pools, so we're kind of like the Jets, we're having to develop from within. Use the players we have within our region, and rely less on imports."

He describes his coaching style as a mix of old school and new school coaching philosophies.