The Sydney Bears made a shock announcement last night, stating that the team and Head Coach Tyler Huberty have mutually parted ways. Huberty departs with the Bears already qualified for Finals and sitting in top spot in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL).

Huberty boasts a coaching record of 19-3-1-1 in 24 games behind the bench (.833 points percentage). This season the Bears are top of the league in goals scored per game (5.75), and third in goals against per game (3.33).

All of these stats represent improvements over last season. Based on the early reaction to the Bears’ statement on social media, Tyler Huberty was a popular figure amongst fans of the team.

The move comes after a game where the Bears lost 5-4 in a shootout despite outshooting the last-placed Central Coast Rhinos 79-20.

Only time will tell if the mutual decision benefits both parties. The Bears will be hoping to repeat the Melbourne Mustangs’ success last season, where a coaching change mid-season led to, or coincided with, a Goodall Cup win in August.

Return of Vlad Rubes as Head Coach

Vlad Rubes will take over bench duties, according to the announcement. The team will have six regular season games to adjust to the new head coach before heading to Melbourne for Finals at the end of August.

This is Rubes’ third stint with the team – the 53-year-old from Praha, Czechia, is an icon of the Sydney Bears and the AIHL. Rubes served as a player-coach from the team’s inaugural season in 2001 until 2013.

After the 2013 season, Rubes dropped his playing role and coached the team for another two seasons before coaching the Sydney Ice Dogs in 2016. In 2017, Rubes returned to the team in a playing role for another three seasons, lifting the Goodall Cup in 2019.

As a player, Rubes holds the record for most points in Bears’ AIHL franchise history (446), including most goals (176) and assists (270). However, unless Rubes makes a shock announcement that he is resuming his playing career, it is Rubes’ Goodall Cup record that fans will be hoping increases.

Rubes has won three Goodall Cups, twice as a player-coach in 2002 and 2007, and once as a player in 2019. With six games remaining in the regular season, the Bears will lean on Rubes’ vast coaching experience to secure a fourth Goodall Cup championship for the club.

In addition to coaching in the AIHL, Rubes has also coached the Australian U18 team (D1 bronze medal, D1 silver medal, D3 gold medal, D2 bronze medal) and the Australian senior men’s team (D2A gold medal).

Fans will have their first chance to see Rubes behind the bench Sunday as the team plays the Adelaide Adrenaline at Macquarie Ice Rink. Puck drop is at 5:00 pm, and you can get your tickets here.

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