SASKATOON, SK - The Saskatchewan Rattlers , member club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), announced Thursday that Barry Rawlyk will return to the club as its general manager. This will be Rawlyk’s second year as the Rattlers GM, and third with the team after serving the 2019 Championship season as the lead assistant coach, as well as assisting in the recruitment of the roster. Rawlyk will continue to lead the basketball operations department for the Rattlers as they seek a second championship in three years.
He returns to the Rattlers as the current University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s basketball team head coach. As the sixth head coach in University of Saskatchewan men’s basketball history, Rawlyk took the helm in an interim position in the 2010-11 season. In May 2012, he was officially named head coach of the men’s basketball program. During the 2010-11 season, Rawlyk led the Huskies to a fourth-place finish at the CIS (now U Sports) Championship and a second-place finish in Canada West. The following season the team finished first in their conference and hosted the Canada West Final Four for the first time in the program’s history. Prior to joining the Huskies, Rawlyk spent over two decades coaching at Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon. During his time with the Crusaders, he led them to 11 City Championship titles as well as three Provincial Championships.
“I’m happy to be back with the Rattlers for another season”, said Rattlers General Manager Barry Rawlyk. “I look forward to continuing the work that we began in 2020 in the construction of the roster. I am steadfast in bringing talented and high-character individuals here to Saskatchewan. We are dedicated to bringing another championship back to the province."
“We are thrilled to have Barry return to the Rattlers as our general manager for the 2021 season”, said Rattlers Vice President Brad Kraft. “Barry has proven time and time again over the course of his career his ability to build strong, entertaining and competitive teams full of high-character individuals. We are focused and aligned in our 2021 free agency plan. With Barry’s experience and expertise, we are confident that we will be in a position that will give us the best possible chance to build another championship team in 2021.”
The CEBL is preparing for its third season in 2021 following the success of this past year's CEBL Summer Series in St. Catharines, Ont., which saw millions of viewers across Canada and around the world tune in starting July 25, to watch 26 games played over 15 days in a single-site league competition. The CEBL became the first professional sports league in Canada to return to play after the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in mid-March shut down sports across the country. For more information on the Rattlers visit therattlers.ca .
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About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
A league created by Canadians for Canadians, the CEBL has the highest percentage of Canadian players of any professional league in the country, with 80 percent of its current rosters being Canadians. Players come from the NBA G League, top international leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. The only First Division Professional League Partner of Canada Basketball, the CEBL season typically runs from May through August. Head to more information on CEBL.ca or follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Linkedin, Facebook & YouTube (@cebleague).
Media Contact
Raúl García
Director, Operations
Saskatchewan Rattlers
(306)-591-7265