The Home Hardware Midget AAA Legionnaires announced this week that, come June 1, it'll be the Chris Keleher era behind the bench for the program.

Once current head coach Darren Evjen decided he'd be stepping back from his role as head coach starting in the 2020-21 season, the extensive search by Swift Current Minor Hockey and the Legionnaires eventually settled on the current Midget AA Broncos' bench boss.

"Excited, looking forward to the opportunity, and thankful for the chance and the trust from not only the Minor Hockey board, but also the coach selection committee," said Keleher.

"The process from first hearing that the job was opening up, to applying, to the interview, and waiting to hear - it was a few stressful months," he admitted. "I respect the process and know what the committee had to do was a thorough search, but I'm ecstatic to take over the team for next year."

Keleher's currently in what will be his first and only season with the Midget AA Broncos, grabbing the reins of a team that has seen tremendous turnover one year removed from an impressive run to a provincial title.

He noted that the youthful team's current success, sitting in third place in the south division with a 19-5-1-1 record, was one of the bigger positives on his resume.

"They've exceeded my expectations. Half my team's first-years, didn't know what to expect coming in, but we've put together a good season so far. I think that had something to do with it."

A few other positives look to have swayed the committee in his direction.

"My experience as well - I've coached the Midget level now for a few years, and have had success kind of wherever I'd been the last few years coaching. Connections I've been able to make too since I moved from Ontario here to Saskatchewan five years ago, and with my scouting experience. Kind of all-in-all, a bit of everything helped play the part in me getting the job."

Though still serving as the Midget AA Broncos' head coach until the end of the 2019-20 season, Keleher still will be prepping for Legionnaires-related business before that official June 1 start date.

"Spring camp is coming up in about three months, so that's the first goal that comes to mind, kind of one of the first things on the agenda," he said. "Recruiting's got to start right away. I've had teams calling me about my AA guys. So, I think I'm probably about a few weeks behind on things. First and foremost, that's the main thing - getting spring camp filled, and looking to fill spots for next year."

The Legionnaires are in the midst of a prominent period of resurgence under the care of Evjen. They're currently in eighth place in the league, looking to make playoffs for the third-consecutive year, after a lengthy drought of over half a decade.

"Darren's done a good job the last few years since he's come in - put the program back on the right path," said Keleher of taking over for Evjen. "I just want to come in and continue what he's done and take the program to the next step."

"My three-year plan for the team, obviously being able to get the team and program a championship would be awesome, but I think for me, just developing the kids, continuing what the program's done by moving players up - whether it's the SJHL, or the WHL - that's the main thing," he added."

"Just helping these players get better and progress on their hockey careers. If we can get some wins out of that as well as a championship here to Swift Current, that would be awesome too."

Keleher will be able to lean on the expertise of Evjen for the first year of his tenure as head coach. The former associate coach in the WHL and head coach/GM in the SJHL will serve as a consultant for Keleher during the 2020-21 season to aid in the transition process.

"This will be my first time at the Midget AAA level, so just having a guy who's coached in the league a while, has had success, and has had success moving guys on, it's good to have a phone call away," Keleher said. "Just knowing that he's right there to help with that adjustment over the first year is important for me."

Along with that aforementioned glimpse at his three-year plan, he outlined what he would like a Chris Keleher-coached team and program to look like.

"First and foremost, the work ethic and compete has to be there," Keleher said, noting that speed and hockey IQ of course are a must. "The skill set - the way the game's going now, if you can't skate and you can't think the game, then you're going to have a hard time."

The quality of the player and program off the ice and away from the rink is something Keleher also noted is a crucial aspect of any team he coaches.

"I love high-character guys. They've got to be really good teammates and really good people," he said. "I expect them to act mature. I'll use the word 'professional' on and off the ice - in the rink, on the bus, and hotels. Represent not only themselves, but the team and the logo - represent them well."

The team announced in their press release earlier this week that the core management group of the team will remain unchanged.