The Regina Pats will have a new look behind the bench next season.
The club announced Tuesday it will not extend the contracts of head coach Brad Herauf and associate head coach Ryan Smith.
“Brad has been a big part of our organization for a long time,” general manager Dale Derkatch said in a release. “From his work behind the bench to the relationships he built with our players, he’s made a lasting impact during his tenure. We thank him for his commitment and wish him all the best moving forward.”
Derkatch also thanked Smith for his time with the organization.
“Ryan has been an important part of our coaching staff and brought a strong work ethic and professionalism every day,” Derkatch said. “He connected well with our players and played a key role in their development. We thank him for his contributions and wish him the best in his next opportunity.”
A Regina product, Herauf spent more than a decade behind the Pats bench, joining the club as an assistant coach in 2015 before being named the franchise’s 43rd head coach on July 13, 2023.
During his time as an assistant, Herauf helped guide the Pats to the 2017 WHL championship final and the 2018 Memorial Cup final, while playing a key role in developing players including Connor Bedard.
As head coach from 2023 to 2026, Herauf was known for his focus on player development. He finished with a regular-season coaching record of 63-118-16-7 and a 1-4 playoff mark.
The move comes following the retirement of longtime assistant coach Ken Schneider, leaving the Pats searching for a new head coach and supporting staff ahead of next season.
The team said the coaching search is underway, with further updates to be provided as they become available.
