"Not an easy decision." McDermott steps down after one season.

Jamie McDermott thought long and hard before making the tough decision to relinquish his post as bench boss of his hometown Essex 73's. "It's not an easy decison and I don't take it lightly because of the care and passion I have for the Essex 73's organization."

Over a week after losing in the Stobbs Division championship to the Lakeshore Canadiens, McDermott has decided to focus on his family and health. "I still want to be with the organization but in a lower capacity and hopefully that can happen."

In his first season as head coach McDermott led the 73's to a 36-4-2-0 record which topped the Stobbs Division and was best in the PJHL. He told Powerplay Sports last week losing 150-plus man games to injuries during the season and playoffs caught up with the team. Despite the letdown in the division final McDermott is happy with his year at the helm during the team's 50th anniversary season. "It was a lot of fun. I had a great group. Anytime you have the support of the guys I had, especially the executive committee and Mike Pailey as general manager, it was a blast. It's just a time in my life where I need to be thinking of my health and my family.

If the new coach brings in his own crew McDermott says he is prepared to do whatever is best for the organization. "If that means me walking away then I'll always be a fan of the Essex 73's and I'll get out on Tuesday night to watch the home games. If they keep me around, great. I'll do whatever they want."