HUMBOLDT, Saskatch-ewan — Nathan Oystrick has stepped down as coach and general manager of the Humboldt Broncos.

The 36-year-old Regina, Saskatchewan, native and former Northern Michigan University hockey player was hired on July 3, about three months after 16 members of the junior hockey team — including coach Darcy Haugan, another ex-NMU icer — were killed when the team’s bus and a semi-truck collided at a rural intersection on the way to a playoff game on April 6.

In a tweet, Oystrick said: “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, who said more information would follow, played four seasons at NMU from 2002-06, scoring 26 goals and accumulating 89 points in 151 games.

Kingsford’s Daunte Fortner played 11 games this season with the Broncos before being acquired by the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. In 25 games with the Broncos and Ice Wolves, the 18-year-old Fortner has four goals and seven assists

Haugan played defense at NMU in the 1996-97 season, earning two goals and three points in six games.

He was credited for bringing the Broncos from near the bottom of its league to the playoffs in 2 1/2 years after amassing a 326-83-15 record over about a dozen years with the North Peace Navigators, where he was named league coach of the year three times.

A statement released by the Broncos Friday said the Broncos and Oystrick have decided to “part ways.”

“The Broncos wish to thank Nathan for his work with the organization and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors,” the team said in the statement.

The Broncos promoted 39-year-old assistant coach Scott Barney to interim coach.

Neither Oystrick nor the team have said why they have decided to part ways.

The Broncos are fourth in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with a record of 21-13-2-1.

Prior to becoming a coach, Oystrick played in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. He was one of more than 50 applicants for the Broncos’ coaching job.

(Information based on an Associated Press story with additional information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee and The Daily News)