The Humboldt Broncos have named former NHL player Nathan Oystrick as the team's head coach and general manager.

Oystrick, 35, appeared in 65 games during his NHL career with the Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues. He also played in the AHL, KHL and ECHL during his playing career, which ended in 2016. He spent one year as an assistant coach in the ECHL in 2016-17 and served as head coach of Colorado Academy high school last season.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be the Humboldt Broncos head coach, and look forward to joining this tremendous community and leading this historic organization, all the while never forgetting the circumstances which have brought me here,” Oystrick said in a release. “I’m honoured and excited to help lead the Humboldt Broncos toward success in 2018-19.”

Oystrick follows in the footsteps of Darcy Haugan, who was one of 16 people killed April 6 when the team's bus and a semi-trailer collided in rural Saskatchewan. Thirteen players were injured. Haugan was posthumously awarded the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award at the NHL Awards last month.

“I understand how much the Broncos have always meant to the community of Humboldt, but I also understand what the team has come to mean to so many people across North America and beyond,” said Oystrick. “I’m thrilled to be here and can’t wait to get started.”

The Broncos announced in May the team would take part in the 2018-19 SJHL season, though it's unclear if any of the injured players will return to the team.