The Langley Rivermen and general manager and head coach Bobby Henderson parted ways in March, according to a statement released by the team on Friday.
Henderson was listed on the Rivermen’s website in both roles as recently as February. The website doesn’t currently have a section for coaches, staff, or front office, but an email address contact for the Rivermen is that of Henderson’s wife, Amanda, who was listed as the club’s business manager.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Henderson isn’t with the Rivermen in any capacity. “Although it had not been made public yet, the Rivermen and Mr. Henderson parted ways in March and he is no longer a member of the organization,” the statement reads.
— Langley Rivermen (@LangleyRivermen) May 7, 2021
The Rivermen hired Henderson as an assistant coach when the franchise launched in Langley in 2011. He spent one season in that role before taking over as head coach and GM when Steve O’Rourke resigned in March 2012.
During Henderson’s time at the helm, Langley went 226-182-41-13 and made the playoffs in eight straight seasons. He was named BCHL coach of the year following the 2013-14 season.
Henderson, 39, spent five seasons as a player in the BC Hockey League with the Chilliwack Chiefs and ranks first on the franchise’s all-time penalty minute list with 872.
The Rivermen co-owners were previously listed on the team’s website as Roy and John Henderson, who are Bobby’s dad and uncle respectively. Roy was also listed as team president while John was chief executive officer.
Bobby’s brother Taylor was Rivermen’s director of operations while his wife Alana served as special events coordinator.
The Rivermen didn’t address the status of assistant general manager and associate coach Brad Bakken, assistant coaches Mike Thompson and Taylor Moore, or goalie coach Joey Ali in Friday’s announcement.
On Friday morning, CTV News reporter Colin D’Mello tweeted out a screenshot of a direct message sent to him by Henderson which included calling D’Mello a liar as well as, “You and your CTV news crew won’t be able to walk the streets in the distant future”.
Henderson later posted a public apology on Twitter for the comments, which D’Mello stated he “appreciated, and accepted.” Henderson has since deactivated his Twitter account.
In the statement from the Rivermen, team ownership indicated it had apologized to D’Mello, despite Henderson not being a member of the organization anymore.
“The Rivermen in no way support negative comments toward journalists or any other person for that matter,” the statement continues.
