Andrew "Frij" Petrie has ended his tenure as head coach of the Proski Newcastle Northstars after three years in the role.

The Northstars and Petrie came to a collective decision to end the head coach assignment, citing time constraints of the coaching role and a belief that in the current climate of the AIHL that a three year term is ideal.

The Northstars will move to a new coaching structure for the 2018 season, with the intent to relieve some of the time commitments off what has been the traditional head coaching role.

Northstars general manager Garry Doré praised the commitment and effort Petrie has made over the past three years.

“Andrew has successfully taken the Proski Newcastle Northstars to two national championships over the three years in the head coaching role, and we are so thankful and grateful for his enormous contribution and leadership," Doré said.

“We are proud to have worked with Andrew and are confident that he will have great success with the Australian national junior team. We wish him further success in whatever pathway he takes in ice hockey."
Petrie's time at the Northstars returned figures of 46 wins and 38 losses over 84 regular season games for an average of 58% of available points.

He also coached the team to victory in each of the four post season games he coached, adding his name to the Goodall Cup two more times.

No decision has been announced at this time on a coaching replacement.