Franko is Speedy Creek Bound
It took very little time for Zach Franko to turn the ship in St. Boniface with the Riels. In two short years, Franko’s accomplishments earned him a call from the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos, which he has since joined as an assistant coach.
“He’s competitive, he’s likeable, he will get the best out of a player,” said Jason Frykas, president of the Riels. “He wants to win, and it’s not a negative way of how he shows it.”
When Franko took over as head coach of the Riels in 2022, the team had just posted their second-worst win total in team history—finishing dead last in the MMJHL with a 6-36-3 record.
In Franko’s first season as head coach, the Riels nearly tripled their win totals from the previous season, making the playoffs where they would lose to the MMJHL powerhouse St. James Canucks in the first round.
“The next year, (Franko) wanted to be the GM,” said Frykas. “He excelled; the players loved him.”
In Franko’s first year as both head coach and GM, the Riels finished with a record of 24-17-2 – their best season since winning the Jack Mackenzie Trophy – the MMJHL’s championship - in 2014-15.
It wasn’t long before Swift Current came calling—sending Franko on his way to the WHL.
“I will forever be grateful for my time with the Riels,” said Franko. “I would like to thank the Frykas family, my assistant coaches Tyler Moore, Sean Christensen and Benji Micflikier, trainers and equipment managers and most importantly the players. They have helped put this team in championship contention for years to come and really have helped propel my coaching career. I wouldn’t have got this opportunity without the help from everyone in the St. Boniface Riels organization.”
So, where does this leave the Riels after their best season in nine years?
The Riels hired Paul Kastes as their next head coach. Kastes is currently the head coach of the U23 men’s Canadian Ball Hockey Team, boasting four years of MMJHL experience as an assistant coach with the St. Vital Junior Victorias.
Assistant coaches Christensen and Moore will return, with Moore also accepting the role of GM this season.
“I'm very excited to and honoured to be thought of for this position,” said Kastes. “I am coming into a great group and great culture that was set by the previous staff and I am excited to help get this group over the hump and back to competing for a championship.”
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