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Grizzlys officials are hurriedly trying to hire another head coach after the club’s director of hockey operations unexpectedly resigned last week.

Doug Hedley resigned from the dual role position last Monday citing personal reasons, the club announced Friday. Hedley was unavailable for comment.

“This is a critical time for someone to be in place,” said Jim Ross, president of Olds Grizzly Junior A Hockey.

With less than a month left before a planned hockey camp Aug. 16 – 20 and the impending 2010-11 hockey season fast approaching, Ross called Hedley’s resignation an unexpected set-back.

“We really didn’t have any inkling that there were issues he was dealing with,” Ross said.

On June 5, club officials announced that Hedley signed a three-year agreement to assume the position of head coach/director of hockey operations.

He started full time on the job July 5, Ross said.

Reaction to Hedley’s resignation was quick.

“Obviously shock (and) disappointment, first and foremost,” Ross said.

The Grizzlys board of directors met last Wednesday to strategize a go-forward plan.

While Ross said existing staff can “pick up the slack,” finding a replacement as soon as possible is imperative.

Club officials have already spoken to a number of possible head coach candidates.

Hedley was chosen from about 80 applicants for the job a month and a half ago.

At the time of Hedley’s hiring, Ross said it was somewhat overwhelming to see the level of response.

“We did have a number of quality resumes,” Ross said, adding no stone will be left unturned to find a replacement.

He said he expects some glitches in operations even if someone is hired right away.

“People just don’t get into this position hitting the ground running,” Ross said. “It takes time to know the club.”

He said he feels confident that hockey school and camp will go ahead on schedule.