Brewer High hockey coach resigns

Paul Henderson, who has coached the Brewer High School hockey team the last two winters after stints with Hampden Academy, Skowhegan and Foxcroft Academy, has resigned due to family commitments.

Henderson explained that his wife, Linda, was laid off from her job in Bangor and has taken a job in Lowell, Mass. She currently commutes from their home in Ripley and stays with family members during the week. She comes home on weekends.

“I just couldn’t justify being off coaching every Saturday with her up here. I wouldn’t have the opportunity to spend time with her. Ten of our 19 games this coming season were on Saturdays,” explained Henderson who guided the Witches to an 11-9 season after a 5-12 campaign with a freshman-laden team two years ago.

“It was a tough decision. I love Brewer. [Athletic director] Dennis Kiah is great to work for. And the freshmen I had two years ago will be juniors this year. They have come a long way. It’s a great group of kids. It was difficult to let that go,” said Henderson who moved to Ripley on a permanent basis after retiring from the Chelmsford, Mass., fire department. He spent 31 years as a fire fighter.

Kiah said Henderson did an outstanding job and he will be sorely missed.

“But I can understand it,” said Kiah.

Kiah said he hopes to name a new coach as soon as possible.

“Paul had us going in the right direction and I hope the new coach can continue the work Paul did,” said Kiah.