Kevin Daley will return as the head coach of the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association’s Fredericton Freeze.
He will embark on his second season at the Freeze helm after joining the team in 2023.
Daley took over the reins from John Hickey, who guided Fredericton during its first year of operation in 2022.
‘I had an absolutely wonderful experience coaching the Freeze and being a part of the MWBA,’ said Daley. ‘The level of play in our league is outstanding and the commitment of our women and all the players in the league is tremendous. I’m really looking forward to being a part of our Fredericton organization once again.’
There will be some changes on the assistant coaching side of the ball for the Freeze.
Colleen Daly, who has been an assistant for two seasons, will focus on coaching with Basketball New Brunswick age class teams this summer. Daly had been with the Freeze since league inception.
She is also an assistant coach with University of New Brunswick Reds.
Anthony Ashe will return to the bench as an assistant coach for the second straight season.
Ashe, also an assistant coach with UNB, carries a similar role under Daley with the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Fredericton High Black Kats.
There will also be a familiar face on the Freeze coaching staff, but it’s someone who would rather be playing.
Kylee Speedy will be an assistant following an injury during her UNB season, but wanted to stay involved.
She played with the Freeze last season.
‘It’s certainly unfortunate we won’t be able to call Kylee’s number on the floor this season, but we were more than happy when she indicated she would like to join our coaching staff,’ said Daley. ‘We were all saddened when her injury happened and we know she will be working hard to recover. Kylee will be an asset to our organization.’
The Freeze also announced assistant general manager Bill Gibson and game day operations manager Ashley Shannon will return for Season III.
Gibson also handles play-by-play for the Freeze.
Tryouts for the MWBA team will be held April 13 and 14 at Fredericton High School.
The Freeze will then join New Brunswick MWBA rivals Port City Fog of Saint John, Moncton Mystics and expansion Miramichi Her-icanes in St. Stephen for the pre-season Battle at the Border, presented by McDonald’s.
The MWBA also features reigning champion Halifax Thunder, Halifax Hornets and Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth region,
That event is set for April 27 to 28 at St. Stephen High School.
The Freeze opens its regular season Saturday, May 4, against Moncton at the Richard J. Currie Center.
Game time is 6 p.m.
