CALGARY – University of Calgary athletic director Kevin Boyles announced Tuesday that Dinos men's hockey head coach Scott Atkinson will not return to the team for the 2009-10 varsity season.

Atkinson was hired prior to the 2001-02 season, replacing Tim Bothwell. In eight seasons behind the bench, he compiled a record of 108-103-10 in conference play (.511) and 15-20 (.429) in the playoffs. In each of his first seven seasons the Dinos won their first-round playoff match before bowing out in the conference semi-final. In 2008-09, the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 1985 with a record of 10-16-2.

Prior to joining the Dinos, Atkinson was head coach at Mount Royal College.

“We appreciate the passion and dedication that Scott has given to the Dinos men's hockey program and our student-athletes over the past eight years,” said Boyles. “However, at this point in time we feel that our program needs to change directions and the decision was made to move the team forward under new leadership.”

The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with a posting to be placed on the University of Calgary's website later in the week (www.ucalgary.ca/hr/careers).

Current Dinos assistant coach Chris Chisamore will remain with the program and will handle all off-season hockey operations during the search process.

-UC-

University of Calgary Dinos Men's Hockey
All-time Head Coaches
Al Rollins (1964-68)
George Kingston (1968-74, 1975-76, 1978-83, 1984-88)
Gordon Cowan (1974-75, 1976-78)
Gordon Jones (1983-84)
Willie Desjardins (1988-94)
Tim Bothwell (1994-2001)
Scott Atkinson (2001-09)