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The Junior A holiday break has brought a Corey Bricknell as the new Predators coach after Bart Crashley resigned from the team, citing differences with Port Hope management.

"In my 20 years of coaching I have never not finished a season... some might call it quitting," says Crashley. "However, my decision came down to that I believed they would not be disappointed if I was not there."

Crashley submitted his resignation after the team's 4-1 win over the Cobourg Cougars, on Friday, Dec. 22, Port Hope's final game before the 12-day holiday break.

Two instances, in October and recently in mid-December, where the Predators allowed a team to talk to Crashley about their coaching vacancy and leaving Port Hope, played a huge part in his resignation, notes Crashley. He says he is still struggling with the decision, but admits he did not feel comfortable anymore behind the Predators bench.

Crashley says combining the permission given to teams to talk with him and the direction he received regarding player development and combinations, indicated to him telling the team he was not satisfied with his coaching

"Never in my years of coaching have I ever had that occur," says Crashley. "I never got the feeling we were on the same page. I thought that Port Hope should be together fighting the battles, but I was not part of the group that was in the battle."

Tim Clayden, Predators hockey operations director, hired Crashley to help rebuild the club this year. Despite a roster of new faces, including only nine players which started this year in Port Hope, the Predators sit in third place with a 22-7-5 record and two overtime losses for 51 points. They entered the holiday break undefeated in 12 games.

"With regard to Coach Crashley, no one is to blame for Bart's resignation but myself," says Clayden. "I fumbled the ball and should have been much more diplomatic. Frankly, I messed up by pushing a professional too far, too many times, regarding too many issues,"

Clayden admits his decision to allow another team to speak to Crashley twice "did not go over well with Bart." Clayden says his intentions were "good but ill-timed" in allowing teams to speak to Crashley.

"I also realize some of the direction I gave the coaching staff this season was not well received and it has cost the organization a pretty good head coach," states Clayden.

The almost two hour drive from Crashley's home in Barrie to Port Hope only became an issue for Crashley as he began to sense dissatisfaction in his performance.

"All the drive did was give more time to dwell on things," says Crashley. "In the end, I am of the mind you do not have to ask me twice to leave."

Bricknell, the Predators new coach, coached in Port Hope six years ago and currently is a defenceman and assistant coach with the Whitby Dunlops of the Eastern Ontario Senior A Hockey League. Bricknell, 31, is a Port Perry native and is looking forward to coaching in Port Hope again.

"It is not like I am coming into a dismantled team," says Bricknell. "The team is not necessarily broken and does not need fixing. I will just try and put my style on the team. I expect them to work hard every day. Mental toughness is something I can get out of the players. The physical toughness will come out of practices."

Bricknell says he has no concerns about Predator management's "hands-on" approach and appreciates input.

"Tim (Clayden) and I see the game the same way and we are on the same page," says Bricknell. "He and I are not friends but we know each other through the hockey world. Coaching is a passion for me."

Clayden says the team approached Bricknell about coaching Port Hope over the last two years but the timing has never been right. Bricknell's enthusiasm, character and "heart on his sleeve" approach are a perfect fit, says Clayden.

Bricknell was the Oshawa Legionnaires (now Durham Fury) head coach last season. There are no issues with putting his current Dunlops career on hold in order to pursue the Predators opportunity, he says.

Bricknell's first game behind the bench is Thursday, Jan. 4, against the Bancroft Hawks.