The Kootenay Ice are on the lookout for a new assistant coach.

After promoting one of them to head coach last week, the other has informed the club he will be pursuing another option in the hockey world.

The Ice had offered Scott Beattie a larger role with the team, to stay on as Kris Knoblauch's full-time assistant.

“Kris wanted him, I wanted him but unfortunately he's got some irons in the fire that are more pressing right now and decided to go in another direction,” said Kootenay general manager and president Jeff Chynoweth.

“Whatever is best for Scott, we certainly wish him all the best. He's a good man.”

The Tri-City Americans announced Tuesday that they had hired Beattie to become associate coach under Jim Hiller. For more on that development, see Wednesday's Townsman.

Set to turn 32 in September, Knoblauch is the youngest bench boss in the WHL (some six months younger than Red Deer's Jesse Wallin). In a league where the average age for a head coach is north of 45 years, Knoblauch said he'd be looking for an experienced assistant.

“I feel I have lots of strengths, but I would like somebody to challenge me. I think somebody who's been coaching for a while would be the guy that would fit that bill,” he said.

Knoblauch said Beattie was an ideal candidate, given his experience playing professionally in Europe, and the good relationship he had with the players during his two seasons with the Ice.

“They enjoyed socializing with him at the rink, and working with him,” said Knoblauch. “They had a lot of respect for him because obviously he had a lot to teach them. It would have been a good fit, so if someone comes along who's similar with the same characteristics as Scott, I think that would be a good complement to me.”

Chynoweth and Knoblauch will now sort through the many applications on hand, although the coach admits to a more pressing concern: his wife Autumn is due to give birth to their second child.

In fact, the baby had been due last Wednesday.

“It could happen any day now,” he said.

“If I have to get away to interview somebody, I can't really do that. I've got to stick close to Cranbrook. My mind right now is first and foremost on this baby, but finding an assistant coach is very important to me.”