https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/sports/local-sports/sydney-mitsubishi-rush-name-chiasson-new-head-coach-macdonald-leaves-for-mhl-449364/

SYDNEY, N.S. — The Sydney Mitsubishi Rush will have a new head coach when the team hits the ice in September for its Nova Scotia Eastlink Major Midget Hockey League season.

On Wednesday, the Rush named Troy Chiasson as the team’s new head coach after Willie MacDonald accepted a head coaching position in the Maritime Junior Hockey League.

Chiasson, who was an assistant coach with the Rush last season, has coached at various levels including major bantam, major female and major midget over the past 16 years.

The team, who will host the 2021 Telus Cup national midget championship in Membertou next April, also named Brad Cuzner, son of former Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner, as the team’s assistant coach.

The 27-year-old Cuzner played three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League between the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Halifax Mooseheads.

The Glace Bay native later suited up for St. Francis Xavier University for four seasons, before spending time with the Evansville Thunderbolts (SPHL), Witchita Thunder (ECHL), Karhu HT (Finland), EHC Zweibrucken (Germany) and Stony Plain Eagles (ACHW)

Cuzner replaces Sydney’s Ryan Sparling on the bench. Sparling was an assistant coach with the team last season.

MacDonald, a Baddeck native, guided the young Rush squad to a 7-25-3-0 record during the 2019-20 season. It was MacDonald's first head coaching position. 

MacDonald is expected to be named the new head coach of the Pictou County Weeks Crushers. He served as the New Glasgow-based team’s head coach for a brief period in February/March, following the Rush’s elimination from the playoffs.

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