Darren Campbell
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 15/02) - Dave Grundy is still in as head coach of the NWT's Arctic Winter Games midget hockey team.

In fact, Gary Vivian of NWT Hockey said Grundy was never out as head coach, though he submitted his resignation after his son, Matthew, was removed from the team by Sport North.

The younger Grundy's removal came as a result of protests lodged by sports representatives in Fort Smith and Deline.

Sport North's athletes handbook states anyone chosen to a team has to be present at the trials. But Matthew Grundy, who is playing hockey in Saskatchewan this year, did not attend the territorial selection trials in Hay River because he was recovering from a broken arm.

Vivian, the organization's director of hockey, said NWT Hockey accepts the decision to remove Matthew Grundy from the team.

However, Dave Grundy was given the option staying on because they did not want to replace him so close to the Games, which take place March 17-23 in Iqaluit and Nuuk, Greenland.

"He's a disciplinarian and the kids respect him," said Vivian. "If he's going to walk away and leave the kids high and dry, it's unfair to those kids."

Territorial sports organizations like NWT Hockey chooses the coaches for the teams that will go to the Arctic Winter Games. They also are in charge of replacing them or removing them if needed.