In episode 1 of Shift Change, the Lloydminster Lancers are introduced. The Alberta Elite Hockey League U18 AAA team is looking to rebuild following back-to-back disappointing seasons in which they combined for just 19 wins in 76 games. Coach Dallas Fallscheer was not brought back for the 2025-26 season, leaving a vacancy behind the bench.
Enter Chris King.
Earlier this year if you were to Google the name Chris King + hockey you’d have been met with a suggested correction of Kris King, the 14-year NHL pro. But that’s not who this story is about.
Try Chris King + basketball and voila, info about a highly decorated 17-year Canadian basketball coach is available, yet there’s still nothing associating him with hockey.
“My first thought was ‘what is the elite stream doing?’ and ‘what is Chris King doing?’” reveals Shane Tomayer, Lloydminster Hockey play-by-play announcer, in episode 1.
That scepticism was shared by many in the community, but not within the Lancers organization.
Looking for not only a rebuild on the ice, but a complete cultural makeover off the ice as well, King was hired as Head Coach of the Lancers.
“They found a basketball coach and shocked the world a little bit,” laughs Nigel Dube, Coach & GM of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Lloydminster Bobcats, in episode 1.
Watch as King kicks off a new era of Lancers U18 AAA hockey at Spring Identification Camp in Lloydminster, shares his lifelong passion for hockey, and starts to set the tone for the upcoming season.
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