Matt Anthony became the second assistant coach to leave the Cape Breton Eagles organization this offseason, accepting a position in Russia. CONTRIBUTED/CAPE BRETON EAGLES Photo by Jeremy Fraser /ContributedArticle contentThe Cape Breton Eagles will have an entirely new coaching staff when the team’s training camp opens next month in Sydney.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League team announced on Thursday the departure of assistant coach Matt Anthony, the third member of the club’s 2024-25 coaching staff to leave the organization since April.Article contentArticle contentAnthony, 35, will join former Eagles head coach Louis Robitaille as an assistant coach with Omskie Krylia of the All-Russian Hockey League (VHL), the second-highest level of Russian hockey behind only the Kontinental Hockey League.Article contentArticle contentRobitaille accepted the Russian team’s head coach position in May, leaving the Eagles organization searching for their fourth head coach in four seasons. The club has since hired Jason Clarke for the position.Article contentBefore accepting the new position, Anthony had signed a one-year contract with the Eagles for the 2025-26 season in April, following the team’s short playoff run.Article contentAnthony, who worked with the team’s defence, spent six seasons with the Eagles as an assistant coach, joining the club in July 2019 under then head coach Jake Grimes.Article contentTerms of Anthony’s deal with Omskie Krylia were not released publicly.Article content“This was a very difficult decision to make,” said Anthony in a press release. “Cape Breton has become home for me, and I have built a life here over the past six seasons. However, the opportunity to make the jump to professional hockey with Louis is something I’m extremely grateful for.”Article contentArticle contentPrior to joining the Eagles, the Shubenacadie native was the head coach of the Newbridge Academy under-18 team for four seasons. He had previously been an assistant coach with the Cole Harbour Wolf Pack of the Nova Scotia Under-18 Major Hockey League and head scout with the Yarmouth Mariners of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.Article contentAlong with the departure of Anthony and Robitaille, assistant coach Nick MacNeil announced he would be leaving the Eagles organization in April due to family reasons.Article contentEagles general manager Sylvain Couturier told the Cape Breton Post the team was aware of Anthony’s departure for about three weeks, noting the team has been working to replace both MacNeil and Anthony since.Article content“We are very happy for Matt that he has been given this opportunity to jump to a pro league,” said Couturier in the release. “He has put in a lot of time and effort with our organization over the last six years, so it is great it has brought him to where he is today.”Article contentWith training camp beginning in just over a month, Couturier says an announcement on the team’s new assistant coaches should come “shortly.”Article contentCape Breton training camp will begin Aug. 15 at Centre 200 in Sydney.Article content
More changes on the bench: Cape Breton Eagles Matt Anthony departs coaching staff for position in Russia
