Smokies welcome new head coach, GM
By Contributor
The Trail Smoke Eaters are pleased to announce Tim Fragle as the team’s next General Manager and Head Coach.
Fragle, a native of Edmonton, Alberta and former Smoke Eater comes to Trail with a strong coaching resume as the team’s new General Manager and Head Coach. During the past four years, Fragle has been head coach of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks College Hockey Team. During his stint, the Ooks have finished first in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for four consecutive seasons, going 95-21-9-2 in 127 games. Fragle has also earned the Coach of the Year award in three of his four seasons at NAIT (2016-17, 18-19, 19-20).
“Annie and I are extremely excited to announce Tim Fragle as the new Head Coach/General Manager of the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Tim brings extensive experience and knowledge to the Trail Smoke Eater program. The hiring committee spent substantial time and effort going through many applications and we feel that Tim and his background brings all the right pieces to continue to carry on the Trail legacy and grow what we have built over the last four years. We feel Tim is the perfect fit to come in and pick right up where Jeff Tambellini left off and we could not feel more secure in our decision.
We are incredibly grateful and thrilled to welcome Tim, his wife Terra, and their two children, Ben and Madison to not only the Trail Smoke Eater hockey club, but to the Trail community and Smoke Eater family as well.” – Owner Rich Murphy
Prior to coaching at NAIT, Fragle was the General Manager and Head Coach of the Sherwood Park Crusaders from 2009 to 2016. With a winning record in all six regular seasons, Fragle finished his AJHL stint with a 39-19-2 record and advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs in five of his six seasons before making his move to NAIT. During the 2015/16 season he was named the head coach of Team Canada West for the World Junior A Challenge, leading the team to a gold medal. He was also the assistant coach the year prior. Fragle also coached at various levels of minor hockey in Edmonton.
“I am excited for our players and staff to be able to work with Tim. Having played alongside Tim and knowing his character, he is going to be a great mentor for our players off the ice, as well as a great coach on the ice and behind the bench.
Tim has always been someone I had hoped to be able to work with and I’m excited that now is the time Tim can come to our organization and continue to grow this program, which has been left in a great position by Jeff Tambellini. Having a background of playing in Trail and knowing the community, he embraces the opportunity to come back and strive for a BCHL Championship.
The community of Trail is adding a great coach, person and family to its community today.” – Director of Hockey & Business Operations, Craig Clare
As mentioned, Fragle is no stranger to Trail having played for the Smoke Eaters from 1997-2000 putting up 50 points in 98 games for the Smoke Eaters, while being named captain during the 99/00 season. Fragle finished his junior career in the AJHL with the Crusaders where he was also named captain. He then attended NAIT as a student athlete between 2001-2004 where again he was named captain for two seasons. Since his playing days have ended and he transitioned into coaching, Fragle has helped 22 players to the NHL, seen 68 players commit to NCAA/U Sports/ACAC programs as well as 38 players make the WHL.
The Trail Smoke Eaters are excited to welcome Tim and his family back to Trail and are looking forward to the season ahead.
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