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I have stepped away from the Humboldt Broncos. Despite the extreme stress and constant pressure of working with the organization, I gave them everything I possibly could and am proud of their performance, and mine, this season.

I will issue a proper statement shortly. — Nathan Oystrick (@Oystie74) December 28, 2018

“Despite the extreme stress and constant pressure of working with the organization, I gave them everything I possibly could and am proud of their performance, and mine, this season,” Oystrick said in the tweet.

The Broncos have won 21 of 37 games so far this season — good enough for second place in their division and fourth overall in the league — but have been on a slide recently, with two wins in their last 10 games.

Oystrick said in the tweet that he would issue a “proper statement shortly.”

In a statement issued hours later, the Humboldt Broncos said the team and Oystrick “decided to part ways” and assistant coach Scott Barney will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

“The Broncos wish to thank Nathan for his work with the organization and wish him the very best in all his future endeavours.”

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SJHL President Bill Chow described the situation as “unfortunate,” but noted — referring to Oystrick’s tweet — that “if that’s what he needs to do is step away, then that’s the right thing to do.

“Everybody is an individual and people will react to different things. It’s unfortunate the situation the team is in right now … It’s unfortunate, but they move on as best as they can.”

Oystrick played four years at Northern Michigan University before embarking on an 11-year professional hockey career, which included 65 games in the National Hockey League.

The Regina native spent a few years as a minor-pro assistant before taking a high school coaching job in Colorado last year.