After serving as the Stoney Creek Junior Sabres' head coach for eight years, Diane Boles is leaving the bench.

Stacey Marnoch, who has been an assistant coach with the Junior Sabres for four years will take over the reins and will be joined by Deb Pauk, who has been with the team for two years and Amanda Reid, who joined the team this season.

The team has also recruited young coach, Tania Mula as well as another coach from within the Stoney Creek Girls Hockey Association, Kelly Janzen.

"I have had the pleasure of mentoring some great young female coaches throughout the years," said Boles. "I feel very confident that now is the time to give these women the independence to learn and grow with the program and I look forward to watching them put their unique stamp in the continuation of the Junior Sabres program."

An 18-year coaching veteran, Boles co-founded the Junior Sabres program in 2000 to offer young women the opportunity to advance their hockey skills, while supporting strong academic expectations. The goal was for each athlete to have the opportunity to further their education at the university level, while playing for a women's varsity hockey team.

"Glenn (Boles) and Gary (Van Heuven) and I approached Jim and Sharon Davis (SCGHA executvie) about starting a women's elite hockey program for this age group. Jim and Sharon and the entire SCGHA were very supportive and continue to be so," she said. "The foundational success of the Junior Sabres is because of the ongoing support of the SCGHA."

Though she has coached the Junior Sabres to a North Metro League Championship title, a Provincial Women's Hockey League Championship and two Ontario Women's Hockey Association provincial titles over her eight-year term, Boles says it is the annual Junior Sabres Alumni game she holds most dear.

"Each year in December, we have a game where former Junior Sabres come back from school on their Christmas break and play an exhibition game with the current squad. Then, we share some fellowship after the game. I really look forward to that event each year. Our alumni are great; we truly are one large family," she said.

"I'm so proud that each year our alumni come out to our games and talk to our team, but most importantly provide a sisterly guidance to answer questions our young women have on issues like varsity hockey programs, academic demands and so on."

Boles adds another highlight is seeing young women succeed bon and off the ice.

"We have had young women who, for various reasons, did not see themselves attending university. 'Well, that is not an option when you become a Junior Sabre,' I tell them. And I am quite proud that these young women have, in fact, gone on to attend university and graduate with a degree, partially because of the support system the Junior Sabres program offers," she said.

Former Junior Sabres players are grateful.

"I can't even begin to tell you everything Diane has taught me over the years. I consider her a second mother. The second you earn a spot on the Junior Sabres, and even still as alumni, you become a part of her family," said former captain Aleeshia Adams, who played under Boles between 2002 and 2006. "For the past 18 years, Diane has coached, put her life on hold and focused on hundreds of players - all her personal and free time was spent working toward improving her teams or a player.

"Words can't describe or even provide you with a little insight toward what kind of person Diane really is, until you actually have the joy and honour of being a part of something she created, like the Junior Sabres."

Some of Boles' favourite memories include working with volunteers.

"There are a great number of really good intentioned people in the game of hockey who, as volunteers, give freely of their own time and money. When you think about the Canadian hockey system, it depends almost entirely on volunteers who are not paid for their time but freely give back, so others may benefit," she said. "I'm proud to have been part of the hockey coaching fraternity and all the volunteers involved in our great Canadian game. I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with some amazingly selfless people."

As of what she'll miss most about coaching the team, Boles says without hesitation, "the athletes."

And the athletes share that sentiment.

"I think what the team will miss most about Diane are her leadership skills, her knowledge and her fiery competitiveness," said Junior Sabres captain Kelly Sabatine. "I will miss seeing her the most and her yelling at me, when I'm on the ice," she laughed. "She gets me fired up for games and reminds me to focus."

Though she is stepping down as head coach, Bole says she has no doubt the team's success will continue.

"This year's team has a great nucleus of returning players and I am very confident in coach Stacey and her staff's ability to take the program into next season and beyond," she said. "The Junior Sabres have added yet another group of young, dedicated athletes and I feel confident that the core values of the Junior Sabres that I have fostered within the program will continue and grow under the new leadership we have in place."

But players say they owe a lot to the woman who put the Junior Sabres program on the map.

"What hasn't Diane done for women's hockey," said Adams. "She took a small club like Stoney Creek and created the junior program and turned it into a dominant force. Diane is a part of hockey and people's lives for the love of the game and to help people. She never needs any recognition, just to see a player succeed is joy enough."

Sabatine says Boles was the reason she joined the Sabres.

"Her reputation is why I moved to this club. And it was the best decision I have ever made as a hockey player. Diane is not only my coach but also one of my best friends. I love her with all my heart and wish her all the best."