Humboldt Broncos name former NHLer Nathan Oystrick new head coach

The Humboldt Broncos have named former NHL player Nathan Oystrick as their new head coach, the club announced Tuesday.

Oystrick takes over for Darcy Haugan, who was killed in the bus crash that took the lives of 16 members in the Broncos organization. Haugan was later the first-ever recipient of the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award at the NHL Awards in June.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the Humboldt Broncos head coach, and look forward to joining this tremendous community and leading this historic organization, all the while never forgetting the circumstances which have brought me here," Oystrick said.

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Oystrick was drafted in the seventh round by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2002, and played 65 games in the NHL. The native of Regina, Saskatchewan, was previously an assistant coach with the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators.