Fortier moving on to North American Hockey League

Sault Ste. Marie’s Jason Fortier is on the move.

After just under three seasons with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Coquitlam Express, two of which the 45-year-old spent as general manager and head coach, Fortier is heading south of the border to take on a similar role with the North American Hockey League’s Odessa Jackalopes.

Fortier’s official title with the Jackalopes will be general manager of hockey operations and head coach.

In a prepared statement, Fortier said he is “tremendously excited” about the opportunity.

“We plan to create a culture that will become our identity and put an emphasis on creating the type of on ice product that will bring back the grit and pride to our loyal fans of Odessa, Midland and the entire Permian Basin,” Fortier also said. “The Jackalopes will strive to become leaders in player development, promoting and preparing players for college hockey and as of today our ultimate goal as a group is to bring a championship to the Permian Basin.”

Fortier is coming off a 47-win season with the Express, where he was named the BCHL’s coach of the year.

Fortier’s coaching career includes three seasons as the head coach of the Vaughan Vipers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League from 2008 to 2011, one season coaching AAA midget with the Toronto Titans (2011-12), two seasons with the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots of the OJHL as head coach from 2013 to 2015 before he made the jump to the Canadian Hockey League for two seasons.

Fortier served as an assistant coach with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 2015-16 where he helped guide the team to a league title and within one goal of a Memorial Cup title as well.

The following season, Fortier joined the staff of the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers, also as an assistant coach.

Fortier joined the Express in November 2017.