Two key departures will leave big shadows over the Swift Current Broncos as they begin the search for their replacements.

A wildly successful season on and off the ice has been followed by the departures of Head Coach/Director of Player Personnel Manny Viveiros and Director of Business Operations Dianne Sletten.

"We have a personnel committee of myself, (Liam Choo-Foo), (Kyle McIntyre) and (Al Stewart) and we will start accepting resumes immediately," said Broncos Chairman Trent McCleary. "We have to find the right fit. Manny has probably set the bar higher... because of the success he's had. We have a process we will go through and the same thing for the business operations as well. We'll gather resumes, get down to a shortlist and we will turn over rocks and kick tires to find the best people for the positions available."



The Broncos changed their organizational structure two years ago when they hired Viveiros moving from a General Manager who oversaw the whole operation to three directors in charge of their own area of expertise. Viveiros was the Head Coach/Director of Player Personnel in charge of roster moves and trades, Jamie Porter is the Director of Hockey Operations in charge of the draft and player list, while Sletten was in charge of the team's business affairs.

The success of that structure doesn't mean they are stuck to it moving forward.

"It really depends on the people that apply for the job," McCleary said. "We're not set in one structure or the other. It just depends on the people that apply and what their strong points are and what their skill sets are. We're open to anything, but we have to find out what kind of options we have and go from there."

Swift Current has generally run with a coach who also manages the roster and trades for the team. The Broncos could be open to moving to a separate coach and roster manager given the nature of one particular internal candidate.

"It's tough to say just because we have a strong individual in Jamie Porter who has been around since 2002 and he deserves that title," McCleary said. "Going forward we will see what the coach's skill set is. We really can't say what the role will be until we see who applies."

Coming off a championship season there could be extra interest in internal candidates for any promotion. Whether it's Porter or members of the coaching staff like Ryan Smith and Jamie Heward, every option is on the table.

"We'll look at every avenue," McCleary noted. "Everyone in the organization right now has been successful so why would you not look at that. It just depends who applies, but we're looking at every avenue and want to keep all our options open."

After making a number of big trades moving youth and draft pick for veteran players there could be some rebuilding in the future for the Broncos. That could also mean the board will need to be patient with a new coach.

"Yes and no," McCleary said. "There's always that demand to see progress. When Manny got hired we'd missed the playoffs the year before. He came in one year and we made the second round. We want to see that progression and that development with the players in the organization."

Viveiros noted in his responses at today's media conference that he would like to see the Broncos keep a similar style of play to what they had during his two seasons. That's a style McCleary feels is almost a natural in today's game if you have the right talent for it.

"The game is changing. You watch the NHL and the way they play the game," McCleary said. "Everyone wants to emulate the NHL with a faster, skill game. But you have to have the right players. You do have to recognize the assets you have and play them accordingly... we will play the way to be successful."

Most of the focus is going to be on the next coach. Their hire in the business operations could be just as important. It was a record season off the ice with attendance and season ticket numbers as high as they've ever been. Now they have to find a way to hold those fans without the luxury of a championship run every year.

"Dianne had lots of success," McCleary said. "When there is down times which there always has been and always will be... how can we smooth out that dip? The next person's job is to have a plan that this is the resources you have and how are you going to get the season tickets. Dianne has built the season tickets to 2400 and change. How are we going to keep those season tickets?"

Sletten will remain in place for an undisclosed amount of time until they are ready to make a full transition to her replacement. Viveiros said he is willing to help in the hiring of his replacement and carrying on with official business during the process.

The Broncos will celebrate their 2017-18 season and Ed Chynoweth Cup victory tonight from 5pm-8pm at Riverside Park.