The Vancouver Giants announced on Wednesday that the junior hockey club has mutually parted ways with head coach Claude Noel.

The search for a head coach will begin immediately, the club said in a news release.

“We’d like to thank Claude for his time with our club,” said Giants majority owner Ron Toigo, in the release. “Claude would like to pursue pro opportunities, and we need to move forward. We really appreciate him stepping into this role mid-season; we’re ending our time together on really good terms, and we wish him all the best in the future.”

Noel, a Kirkland Lake, Ontario native, took over behind the Giants’ bench on November 30, 2014. The Giants posted a record of 17-23-2-2 under Noel.

Prior to his time with the Giants, Noel coached the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets from 2011 to 2014.

In other Giants news, the team will pick third overall in May 7 bantam draft after Wednesday’s draft lottery was held. The lottery was won by the Spokane Chiefs, who held a pick acquired via trade from the Saskatoon Blades in 2013.