The Sicamous Eagles have a new flock leader.
In a Jan. 15 media release, the Eagles announced that Shawn Webb had been hired as their new bench boss, a promotion from his former role of assistant coach with the team.
"We are so fortunate he has agreed to step forward now and lead the team, working with assistant GM/coach Ben Marshall, ensuring consistency and continued growth for the Sicamous Eagles," team governor Sheila Devost said in the release.
The change in leadership comes after former head coach Liam McOnie moved to the WHL as an assistant coach with the Kelowna Rockets. The two have a long history together prior to joining the Eagles leadership team as Webb was McOnie's minor hockey coach and later was on the bench helping him coach the North Okanagan Knights from 2022-2024.
Webb was also on the bench for North Okanagan from 2011 to 2014, as well as Sicamous in 2003-2004 and again in 2014-2016, with the release noting "the third time's a charm."
Additionally, Webb brings with him more than 30 years' experience in every capacity, from minor hockey to scouting for the WHL's Everett Silvertips and two years with NHL Central Scouting.
Given the goal of the team is to see coaching staff and players advance, Devost sees this change as a positive thing.
"We are proud to be a development team. This week Clayton Gillmore was called back up to the WHL to affiliate for the Tri-City Americans and McOnie moved up to the WHL," she said. "Some would say Liam didn't 'fly the coup,' but more 'left the nest to fly on his own'."
Webb will take charge this weekend as the Eagles host the Kelowna Chiefs Jan. 17 and take on the Grizzlies in Revelstoke Jan. 18.
